Flexible or portable closure – partition – or panel – Plural strip – slat – or panel type – With mounting or supporting means
Patent
1989-04-07
1990-07-03
Purol, David M.
Flexible or portable closure, partition, or panel
Plural strip, slat, or panel type
With mounting or supporting means
160 841, E05D 1500
Patent
active
049382730
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a vertically moving door or barrier structure comprising a door leaf which is divided into a plurality of mutually hinged leaf panels and which is guided for movement in guide arrangements located on each side of the door opening.
The need for doors which are able to function vertically is found in many different connections, such as in storage locations and industrial buildings for example. This need becomes apparent, inter alia, when the space on one or both sides of a door opening is very restricted.
One requirement placed on door structures of this kind is that they occupy the smallest space possible in their raised position. One such known door structure is described in Swedish Patent Specification No. 376 041, this known structure comprising a multiple of fabric panels or sections which have arranged therebetween rigid cross-struts which are guided in the side edges of the door opening. When opening this door, by winching up the lower cross-strut, the door panels or sections are intended to fold symmetrically about the struts. Folding of the panels, however, is not positively controlled in this door arrangement, and consequently a larger part of the fabric material is liable to fold up on one side of the door than on the other side, e.g. due to the force of the wind or due to similar influences, which causes the door in its raised position to take up more space than intended. Furthermore, the door becomes unsightly in its upper raised position, if not folded properly.
Because of the rigid cross-struts, the known door structure is also relatively heavy and accidents or injury may occur should the door inadvertently drop down in the door opening. Because the door structure is a hazard in this regard, it is necessary to provide the door structure with conventional means for protecting persons or objects positioned beneath the door
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The main object of the present invention is to provide an improved door structure of the aforesaid kind which can be made much lighter than known door structures and, if so desired, can be made entirely from inexpensive fabric material without needing to provide transverse stiffening parts, therewith obviating the need for the aforesaid protective means. The light weight of the door also enables it to be raised quickly. The door structure shall also be capable of taking up large differencies between inside and outside pressures, shall be capable of being manufactured inexpensively and capable of being transported and installed at low costs, and when raised shall be guided in a manner such that respective door panels or sections are folded positively, so as to always occupy the same amount of space in the door-raised position and therewith form an aesthetic package.
The door structure according to the invention is mainly characterized in that at least the end edges of each alternate panel are rigid or attached to rigid strips or corresponding devices; in that at least remaining panels are made of a flexible fabric or corresponding material; in that the rigid end portions of each alternate panel are connected to guide means which co-act with an associated pair of side guides; and in that the number of side guide pairs corresponds to the number of rigid side-edge portions.
Since the totally flexible panels are always located between two panels which are provided with rigid end portions, the door leaf of a door or barrier constructed in accordance with the invention will always be folded in a positive manner as the door is raised.
The door leaf is preferably provided with an even number of panels, the lowermost panel being provided with rigid end portions and guided in a respective pair of side guides, whereas the uppermost panel is flexible and attached along its long edge to the upper horizontal defining edge of the door opening, wherewith means for raising the door or barrier are attached to the rigid end portions of the lower panel. Each panel provided with rigid end portions preferably h
REFERENCES:
patent: 2409037 (1946-10-01), Guth
patent: 3313338 (1967-04-01), Knight
patent: 3926242 (1975-12-01), Lowe
patent: 4194549 (1980-03-01), Lovgren
patent: 4368770 (1983-01-01), Ulfhielm
patent: 4397347 (1983-08-01), Brabant
patent: 4524814 (1985-06-01), Deziel
patent: 4725000 (1988-02-01), Deziel
Dubbelman Stefan
Dubbelman Voldemar
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