1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a garage door reinforcement system that is interiorly disposed.
2. Description of the Related Art
Several inventions for reinforcements for garage doors have been developed in the past. None of them, however, includes an additional reinforcement member conforming to the structure that extends continuously and transversally across a door panel. The present invention eliminates the U-shaped bars that are externally mounted at present while enhancing its structural integrity.
Typically, garage doors have multiple panels with multiple widths, with a panel height of 21 inches, preferably, and modular lengths of 8; 9; 12 and 16 feet (2.44; 2.74; 3.66; 4.88 meters, respectively). The most popular designs include four panels that are monolithic throughout the entire length, each having lateral top and bottom edges. These edges have a tongue and groove, shiplap, or equivalent terminations. These terminations are intended to provide structural reinforcement and also act as a barrier to the elements, including water and wind.
Construction codes in several areas, specifically those that are prone to windstorms and hurricanes, require passing certain wind tests. Thus, the need for reinforcements for garage doors. Typically, garage doors are not prepared to withstand strong winds experienced in many parts of the world. These additional reinforcements are not needed in some areas. There is a need for reinforced garage doors, capable of passing hurricane wind tests for each jurisdiction, on a selective basis. Thus, a system for readily reinforcing the doors, when needed, is quite desirable.
Applicant believes that the closest reference corresponds to U.S. Pat. No. 6,062,293 issued to Allen Berger, Jr., who is the inventor in the present application, for a garage door reinforcement and method. The present invention improves the wind load resistance of the garage door even more by having reinforcement bars that conform to the shaped of existing structural folded members without detracting from the aesthetics of the door.
The present invention provides a reinforcement assembly that conforms and follows the lateral edges of a garage door panel. The present invention includes a reinforcement that is compatible with the panels' terminations, namely, tongue and groove, shiplap and others. The reinforcement bar is made with folding manufacturing techniques.
Other patents describing the closest subject matter provide for a number of more or less complicated features that fail to solve the problem in an efficient and economical way. None of these patents suggest the novel features of the present invention.
It is one of the main objects of the present invention to provide an interior garage door reinforcement system that is capable of withstanding high winds and flying objects without adversely affecting the aesthetics of the door.
It is yet another object to provide a garage reinforcement system that enhances its structural integrity by adding reinforcement members that complement and abuttingly conform to the main structural members of the door.
It is still another object of this invention to provide a garage door reinforcement system made for standard sized panels, to fit standard sized tracks, in standard sized garages, and yet effective to withstand wind loads of hurricane grade and using roll forming manufacturing processes.
It is yet another object of this invention to provide such a system that is inexpensive to manufacture and maintain while retaining its effectiveness.
Further objects of the invention will be brought out in the following part of the specification, wherein detailed description is for the purpose of fully disclosing the invention without placing limitations thereon.
With the above and other related objects in view, the invention consists in the details of construction and combination of parts as will be more fully understood from the following description, when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:
Referring now to the drawings, where the present invention is generally referred to with numeral 10, it can be observed that it basically includes, in the preferred embodiment, several panel sections 20, reinforcement runner member 50, reinforcement runner member 60 and hinge assembly 80.
As seen in
Hinge assembly 80 includes walls 23 with angular walls 82 and 84 at its upper and lower ends, respectively. Angular walls 82 cooperate with angular walls 84 of a contiguous panel section 20 to receive hinge pin 86 through openings 83 and 85, respectively. Through openings 23′ of wall 23 permit fastening members 79 to go through and selectively engage holes cooperatively positioned on walls 28 and 29 and runner members 50 and 60, respectively.
In the preferred embodiment for garage door reinforcement system, longitudinal unitary reinforcements as reinforcement runner members 50 and 60 are insertable horizontally and interiorly to the complementing top and bottom joints, namely upper longitudinal end 24 and lower longitudinal end 26, respectively. Reinforcement runner member 50 includes longitudinally extending walls 52; 54; 56; 58 and 58′ and extends along the entire width of door D, as shown in
Reinforcement runner member 60 includes longitudinally extending walls 62; 64; 66; 68 and 68′ and extends along the entire width of door D, as shown in
The manufacture of reinforcement runner members 50 and 60 is compatible with inexpensive roll forming processes. The function of reinforcement runner members 50 and 60 is to enhance the structural integrity of ends 24 and 26, respectively, by having complementary longitudinally curved portions 67 and 67′ come in longitudinal contact and conforming to the shape of longitudinally extending groove 42. Similarly, complementary longitudinally curved portions 57 and 57′ come in longitudinal contact and conforming to the shape of longitudinally extending tongue 32. The result is a structure of superior strength. The otherwise vulnerable articulations of the panels are strengthened.
In the alternate embodiment 100 shown in
As best seen in
Reinforcement runner member 160 includes longitudinally extending walls 162; 164; 166; 168 and 168′ and extends along the entire width of door D. Wall 164 includes small longitudinal grooves 165. Walls 162 and 166 extend perpendicularly from wall 164. Walls 168 and 168′ define the shiplap type complementing joint. Walls 168 and 168′ also include small reinforcing longitudinal grooves 169 and 169′, respectively, curved portion 167 with a longitudinally extending space 167′ at its central portion.
The foregoing description conveys the best understanding of the objectives and advantages of the present invention. Different embodiments may be made of the inventive concept of this invention. It is to be understood that all matter disclosed herein is to be interpreted merely as illustrative, and not in a limiting sense.