Patent Application
20090236052
The subject disclosure relates generally to a horizontal side-rolling fabric door and more specifically to a pliable frame cover for such a door.
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.
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.
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).
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.
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.
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.
Referring further to
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
A touch-and-hold fastener 48 (e.g., VELCRO®) 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.
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 (
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 (
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
In some examples, door 10 includes a seal 72 (
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.
At least some of the aforementioned examples include one or more features and/or benefits including, but not limited to, the following:
In some examples, a horizontal side-rolling door includes a flexible shroud that shields the door curtain's take-up roller.
In some examples, the shroud both shields and seals a curtain extending from a roller.
In some examples, a door curtain roller is shielded by a shroud that is supported by a resiliently flexible breakaway frame.
In some examples, a door curtain roller is shielded by a shroud that is selectively movable between an installed position and a retracted position.
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.
In some examples, a door curtain roller is shielded by a shroud assembly that can break away without significant permanent damage.
In some example, the shroud assembly can break away in certain directions easier than others.
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.
