U.S. patent application number 12/054064 was filed with the patent office on 2009-09-24 for pliable shrouds for a horizontal side-rolling door.
Invention is credited to RYAN P. BEGGS, JAMES C. BOERGER, BILL HOERNER, DEAN SHANAHAN.
Application Number | 20090236052 12/054064 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40672149 |
Filed Date | 2009-09-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090236052 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
BEGGS; RYAN P. ; et
al. |
September 24, 2009 |
PLIABLE SHROUDS FOR A HORIZONTAL SIDE-ROLLING DOOR
Abstract
A sideways rollup door with a horizontal side-rolling curtain
includes a vertical roller that is shielded by a pliable shroud.
The shroud is supported by a frame that includes a breakaway
feature and/or readily replaceable frame elements. To access the
roller for servicing, the frame elements allow the shroud to be
selectively moved (without the use of tools) between an installed
position and a retracted position. In some cases, the breakaway
feature enables the shroud to break away in certain directions
easier than others. In some embodiments, the shroud includes a seal
that engages the curtain when the shroud is in the installed
position.
Inventors: |
BEGGS; RYAN P.; (Dubuque,
IA) ; BOERGER; JAMES C.; (Franksville, WI) ;
HOERNER; BILL; (Dubuque, IA) ; SHANAHAN; DEAN;
(Dubuque, IA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
HANLEY, FLIGHT & ZIMMERMAN, LLC
150 S. WACKER DRIVE, SUITE 2100
CHICAGO
IL
60606
US
|
Family ID: |
40672149 |
Appl. No.: |
12/054064 |
Filed: |
March 24, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
160/265 ;
160/238 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E06B 9/13 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
160/265 ;
160/238 |
International
Class: |
A47G 5/02 20060101
A47G005/02 |
Claims
1. A door for a wall defining 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 upon rotating selectively
takes in and pays out the curtain substantially horizontally to
respectively open and close the door; and a shroud comprised of a
pliable material, wherein the shroud is selectively movable between
an installed position and a retracted position, the roller is
interposed between the wall and the shroud when the shroud is in
the installed position, and the roller is exposed to allow access
to the roller from a direction pointing toward the wall when the
shroud is in the retracted position.
2. The door of claim 1, wherein the shroud has a generally L-shaped
horizontal cross-section when the shroud is in the installed
position.
3. The door of claim 1, further comprising a corner frame member
that is vertically elongate and about which the shroud is bent when
the shroud is in the installed position.
4. The door of claim 3, wherein the corner frame member is
tubular.
5. The door of claim 1, further comprising a seal attached to the
shroud such that when the shroud is in the installed position, the
seal extends from the shroud toward the roller to engage the
curtain.
6. The door of claim 5, wherein the seal is comprised of a fabric
material.
7. The door of claim 1, wherein the shroud includes a proximal end
and a distal end, the proximal end is mountable in proximity with
the wall, the distal end includes an edge frame member that is
vertically elongate and is less flexible than the shroud, the edge
frame member moves with the distal end of the shroud as the shroud
moves between the installed position and the retracted
position.
8. The door of claim 7, further comprising a touch-and-hold
fastener on the proximal end of the shroud.
9. The door of claim 7, wherein the edge frame member is
tubular.
10. The door of claim 9, further comprising an anchor that is
substantially stationary, the anchor selectively engages and
releases the edge frame member to facilitate moving the shroud
between the installed position and the retracted position.
11. 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.
12. The door of claim 11, wherein the roller is spring loaded to
urge the curtain to wrap about the roller.
13. A door for a wall defining 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 upon rotating selectively
takes in and pays out the curtain substantially horizontally to
respectively open and close the door; a shroud comprised of a
pliable material that includes a proximal end and a distal end, the
proximal end is mountable in proximity with the wall, the distal
end includes an edge frame member that is vertically elongate and
is less flexible than the shroud, the shroud is selectively movable
between an installed position and a retracted position, the roller
is interposed between the wall and the shroud when the shroud is in
the installed position, the roller is exposed out from between the
shroud and the wall when the shroud is in the retracted position,
and the edge frame member moves with the distal end of the shroud
as the shroud moves between the installed position and the
retracted position; and an anchor that is substantially stationary,
the anchor selectively engages and releases the edge frame member
to allow the shroud to be moved between the installed position and
the retracted position.
14. The door of claim 13, wherein the shroud has a generally
L-shaped horizontal cross-section when the shroud is in the
installed position.
15. The door of claim 13, further comprising a corner frame member
that is vertically elongate and about which the shroud is bent when
the shroud is in the installed position.
16. The door of claim 13, further comprising a seal attached to the
shroud such that when the shroud is in the installed position, the
seal extends from the shroud toward the roller to engage the
curtain.
17. The door of claim 16, wherein the seal is comprised of a fabric
material.
18. The door of claim 13, wherein the edge frame member is
tubular.
19. The door of claim 13, wherein the anchor includes an upper
surface that facilitates the edge frame member returnably breaking
away from the anchor in reaction to the edge frame member
experiencing an applied force that is above a predetermined
magnitude, wherein the edge frame member breaking away allows the
shroud to move from the installed position to the retracted
position.
20. The door of claim 19, wherein the edge frame member breaks away
in a first direction easier than in a second direction which is
different than the first direction.
21. The door of claim 19, wherein the anchor resists the applied
force substantially equally in all horizontal directions.
22. A door for a wall defining 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 upon rotating selectively
takes in and pays out the curtain substantially horizontally to
respectively open and close the door, the roller is spring loaded
to urge the curtain to wrap about the roller; 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; a
shroud comprised of a pliable material that includes a proximal end
and a distal end, the proximal end is mountable in proximity with
the wall, the distal end includes an edge frame member that is
tubular, vertically elongate, and less flexible than the shroud,
the shroud is selectively movable between an installed position and
a retracted position such that: in the installed position, the
shroud is held taut between the wall and a fixed position of the
edge frame member, and the roller is interposed between the wall
and the shroud, in the retracted position, the roller is exposed to
allow access to the roller from a direction pointing toward the
wall, and the edge frame member moves with the distal end of the
shroud as the shroud moves between the installed position and the
retracted position; a corner frame member that is vertically
elongate and about which the shroud is bent when the shroud is in
the installed position, wherein the corner frame member is tubular;
and an anchor that is substantially stationary, the anchor
selectively engages and releases the edge frame member to allow the
shroud to be moved between the installed position and the retracted
position.
23. The door of claim 22, wherein the shroud has a generally
L-shaped horizontal cross-section when the shroud is in the
installed position.
24. The door of claim 22, further comprising a seal attached to the
shroud such that when the shroud is in the installed position, the
seal extends from the shroud toward the roller to engage the
curtain.
25. The door of claim 24, wherein the seal is comprised of a fabric
material.
26. The door of claim 22, further comprising a touch-and-hold
fastener on the proximal end of the shroud.
Description
FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0001] The subject disclosure relates generally to a horizontal
side-rolling fabric door and more specifically to a pliable frame
cover for such a door.
BACKGROUND
[0002] 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
horizontal 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.
[0003] 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.
[0004] Other horizontal side-rolling doors include two individual
curtains, each supported by its 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).
[0005] The curtain rollers are typically housed within some type of
enclosure. Such enclosures, however, can make it difficult to
access the roller for repair or other service operations.
[0006] The enclosures are also susceptible to damage by way of
direct impact from a vehicle passing through the doorway or by way
of indirect impact if the vehicle strikes the curtain. The leading
edge of the curtain typically is reinforced by a rigid structural
member that is used for closing the door and for holding the
leading edge substantially straight and upright. When that
structural member is struck in a certain direction, the curtain
might forcibly push against the enclosure components, interfering
with full curtain movement and potentially damaging the curtain
components or enclosure.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] FIG. 1 is a front view a horizontal side-rolling door shown
in a closed position.
[0008] FIG. 2 is a front view of the door of FIG. 1 but showing the
door open.
[0009] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 3-3 of
FIG. 2, wherein a shroud is in an installed position.
[0010] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 3 but
showing the shroud in a retracted position.
[0011] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 4 but
showing the shroud completely removed from its supporting
frame.
[0012] FIG. 6 is a front view of the shroud and roller at the left
side of FIG. 2.
[0013] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 7-7 of
FIG. 6.
[0014] FIG. 8 is a front view similar to FIG. 6 but showing the
shroud moving from the installed position to the retracted
position.
[0015] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 9-9 of
FIG. 8.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0016] 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.
[0017] FIGS. 1 and 2 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. In this particular example, door 10
includes two curtains 12 and 16 supported by spring-loaded rollers
18 installed in proximity with lateral edges 20 of doorway 14. A
preloaded torsion spring 22 urges each roller 18 to rotate in a
direction that tends to draw in and wrap the respective curtain 12
or 16 onto itself. An overhead track 24 and drive unit 26 coupled
to rigid support members 30 at the leading edges of curtains 12 and
16 are used for opening and closing the door 10. FIG. 1 shows door
10 closed with the curtains' 16 leading edges abutting each other
near the center of doorway 14, and FIG. 2 shows door 10 open with
most of the curtains wrapped around rollers 12 and 16.
[0018] Referring further to FIGS. 3-5, roller 18 is supported by a
frame comprising a base 32 on floor 34, a back frame member 36
attached to wall 38, and an upper bracket 40 (FIG. 1) extending
from frame member 36. Both rollers 18 are supported in a similar
manner.
[0019] To help shield roller 18, a shroud 42 made of pliable
material extends from back frame member 36 over to an edge frame
member 44. Edge frame member 44 is removably coupled to base 32 and
upper bracket 40, as will be explained in more detail below. Since
shroud 42 is made of a pliable material, it is preferably stretched
taut when edge frame member 44 is coupled to base 32 and upper
bracket 40 to give shroud 42 a flat and neat, unwrinkled
appearance. The pliability of the shroud material also allows the
shroud 42 to absorb direct minor impact by flexing. Shroud 42 can
be made of any suitable material including, but not limited to, a
natural material or a synthetic fabric material, a plastic
sheeting, and various layers and/or combinations thereof. The
shroud material can be optionally coated and/or impregnated with
any suitable material such as, for example, various polymers, to
give the shroud material desirable properties such as, for example,
being anti-microbial. A corner frame member 46 coupled to base 32
and bracket 40 helps hold shroud 42 in a generally L-shaped
configuration, as viewed in FIG. 3.
[0020] A touch-and-hold fastener 48 (e.g., VELCRO.RTM.) can be used
for attaching a proximal end 50 of shroud 42 to back frame member
36; however, numerous other ways of affixing proximal end 50 can
certainly be used.
[0021] To protect shroud 42, the curtain assembly, and edge frame
member 44 from damage in the event that door 10 is accidentally
struck in a direction 52 (FIGS. 3 and 9) generally coming from wall
3 8, a distal end 54 of shroud 42 is mounted preferably in a
removable or breakaway manner, as shown in FIGS. 6-9. In some
examples, edge frame member 44 is tubular (e.g., a steel pipe) and
is installed within a looped section 56 of shroud 42. Frame member
44 may be loosely held within loop 56 to allow member 44 to be
readily removed and replaced without damage. Edge frame member 44
is held in place between an upper pin 58, extending downward from
bracket 40, and a lower anchor 60 in the shape of a short pin
protruding upward from base 32. Although edge frame member 44 is
relatively stiff, its limited flexibility and axial clearance 62
under bracket 40 allows member 44, when impacted, to flex and move
up and off of anchor 60, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9. The ability of
edge frame member 44 to break away in such a manner when a force
exceeding a threshold magnitude is applied may be enhanced by
providing anchor 60 with a tapered upper surface 64 (FIG. 7).
Surface 64 could be conical, hemispherical, rounded, or any other
suitable shape to promote breakaway action in any direction, or
surface 64 could face just certain directions so that edge frame
member 44 breaks away in some directions easier than others. In the
preferred example, tapered surface 64 generally faces wall 38 to
promote breakaway action from that direction.
[0022] Corner frame member 46 can be mounted in a similar manner.
The breakaway feature may not be as important in this area, thus
corner frame member 46 in a tubular form (e.g., a pipe) is held in
place between an upper pin 66, extending downward from bracket 40,
and a lower pin 68 protruding upward from base 32. Clearance 70
(FIG.7) under bracket 40 allows corner frame member 46 to be
readily installed and replaced, for example, by simply lifting
member 46 up and over lower pin 68.
[0023] To gain access to roller 18 for servicing, the relationship
between edge frame member 44 and anchor 60 allows shroud 42 to be
moved manually from an installed position of FIG. 3 to a retracted
position of FIG. 4. In examples where proximal end 50 is removably
attached, shroud 42 can be completely removed as shown in FIG.
5.
[0024] In some examples, door 10 includes a seal 72 (FIGS. 3 and 4)
that runs substantially the full height of curtain 12. Seal 72 may
be a flexible loop that is sewn or otherwise attached to an inner
surface of shroud 42. When shroud 42 is in the installed position
of FIG. 3, a central portion of the seal's 72 loop sealingly
engages a face of curtain 12, at least when curtain 12 is fully
rolled up on roller 18. Other seal designs and configurations are
well within the scope of the disclosure.
[0025] A flexible end seal 74 may be attached to each of the
leading edges of curtains 12 and 16 so that seals 74 abut each
other when door 10 is closed.
[0026] At least some of the aforementioned examples include one or
more features and/or benefits including, but not limited to, the
following:
[0027] In some examples, a horizontal side-rolling door includes a
flexible shroud that shields the door curtain's take-up roller.
[0028] In some examples, the shroud both shields and seals a
curtain extending from a roller.
[0029] In some examples, a door curtain roller is shielded by a
shroud that is supported by a resiliently flexible breakaway
frame.
[0030] In some examples, a door curtain roller is shielded by a
shroud that is selectively movable between an installed position
and a retracted position.
[0031] In some examples, a door curtain roller is shielded by a
shroud that is supported by frame members that can be readily
replaced without the use of tools.
[0032] In some examples, a door curtain roller is shielded by a
shroud assembly that can break away without significant permanent
damage.
[0033] In some example, the shroud assembly can break away in
certain directions easier than others.
[0034] The foregoing examples provide a better enclosure for
shielding a curtain roller of a horizontal side-rolling door.
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.
* * * * *