Roll-up doors are often used to form closures over openings in buildings, such as garages, warehouses, stores, etc. Such a roll-up door may be opened and closed by coiling or uncoiling the roll-up door around a shaft. The shaft may be controlled by a motor to open and close the roll-up door.
The roll-up door may be formed by slats that are coupled together and placed in a guide. The guide may help the slats to maintain alignment during movement as the roll-up door is opened and closed.
Examples described herein provide examples of a universal endlock. As discussed above, a roll-up door may include connected slats that are coiled around a shaft to open and uncoiled to close. The slats may be fabricated from metal and secured together within guides along the side of the opening or door.
The slats may be connected at the ends with an endlock. Previous endlocks were designed for either the left side or the right side of the slats. In addition, different endlocks may be used for different slats depending on a spacing of openings on the slats. Thus, different types of endlocks were used to connect the slats. This may lead to additional overhead, inventory, and costs associated with maintaining and/or building the different types of endlocks.
In addition, the previous endlock designs were made to have a profile that extends beyond the profile of the slats. Thus, portions of the endlocks may protrude above the individual slat external surface. As the roll-up door was coiled around the shaft to open the door, the weight of each coil of slats would press down on the endlocks. The protruding portion of the endlock may press against an adjacent slat rolled below and create a bending moment in the end of the adjacent slat. Over time, the ends of the slats may crack or tear. Eventually, the endlocks may be ripped off and the roll-up door may not function properly.
The universal endlock of the present disclosure may be designed to work on either end of the slats. In addition, the universal endlock of the present disclosure may include intersecting hole patterns to allow the universal endlock to be connected to different types of slats with differently spaced openings. Thus, a single type of endlock may be manufactured and maintained in inventory, which may lead to lower costs.
In addition, the universal endlock of the present disclosure may have a profile that is lower than the profile of the slat. Thus, when the roll-up door is coiled around the shaft when opened, the endlock may not create a bending moment on adjacent slats rolled below the endlock. Thus, cracking caused by known endlocks may be eliminated and the slats may have a longer life span.
In one embodiment, the roll-up door 100 may be comprised of a plurality of slats 1061 to 106n (hereinafter also referred to individually as a slat 106 or collectively as slats 106). The slats 106 may be fabricated from metal (e.g., aluminum, steel, alloys, and the like). Each slat 106 has an elongated structure with a width and a profile with a first rounded end at the top of the slat 106, a second rounded end at the bottom of the slat 106, a left end of the slat 106 and a right end of the slat 106. The first rounded end and the second rounded end are oriented parallel to each other, and the left end and the right end are oriented parallel to each other and perpendicular to the first rounded end and the second rounded end. The profile of the slat 106 is such that there is a front face of the slat and a back face of the slat 106. The profile further includes the first rounded end in a hook shape or “C” shape and the second rounded end in a hook shape or “C” shape that is able to slidably engage to the first rounded end. A detailed view of the slat 106 with the rounded ends is illustrated in
It is intended that known profile designs and engagement designs for a single wall slat or a double walled slat (for insulated slats) are contemplated to be used with the endlocks and described herein.
In one embodiment, the slats 106 may be coupled together via a mechanical coupling and held in place by the universal endlocks 104. The universal endlocks 104 may be coupled on each end of alternating slats 106. Said another way, the universal endlocks 104 may be coupled on each end of every other slat 106.
In one embodiment, the first rounded end 108 and the second rounded end 110 may have a spiral form. As a result, the second rounded end 110 of a first slat 1061 may be slid into the first rounded end 108 of an adjacent slat 1062. Similarly, the second rounded end 110 of the slat 1062 may be slid into the first rounded end 108 of an adjacent slat 1063, and so forth. The spiral form and concentric fit of the first rounded end 108 of a first slat 1061 and second rounded end 110 of an adjacent slat 1062 may help keep the slats 106 interlocked.
In one embodiment, the universal endlocks 104 may be coupled to the ends of a slat 106 via a fastener 116. The fastener 116 may be any type of mechanical fastener. For example, the fastener 116 may be a screw, a bolt, a nut and bolt combination, a rivet, and the like.
In one embodiment, the universal endlocks 104 may have intersecting hole patterns 114. The intersecting hole patterns 114 of the universal endlocks 104 may be aligned with openings 112 of the slat 116. The fastener 116 may be fed through the openings 112 and the intersecting hole patterns 114 that are aligned to couple the universal endlock 104 to the end of a slat 106. A double walled slat with a front wall and a back wall may have holes in each wall or in a single wall of the slat for the attachment of the endlocks 104.
In one embodiment, the universal endlock 104 may include a first lip 126 and a second lip 128. The first lip 126 may secure the interlocking of the second rounded end 110 of a first slat 1061 to the first rounded end 108 of the slat 1062. The second lip 128 may secure the second rounded end 110 of the slat 1062 to the first rounded end 108 of the slat 1063. Thus, the first lip 126 and the second lip 128 may be coupled to each end of the slat 1062 to prevent the slat 1062 from moving laterally (e.g., side-to-side or left and right along the page) to become disconnected from the adjacent slats 1061 and 1063.
In one embodiment, the universal endlock 104 may be coupled to each end of every other slat 106 as noted above. For example, if the first universal endlock 104 is coupled to the slat 1062, then the second universal endlock 104 may be coupled to each end of the slat 1064, the third universal endlock 104 may be coupled to each end of the slat 1066, and so forth.
In one embodiment, the design of the universal endlock 104 may allow the same universal endlock 104 to be coupled to either end (e.g., left end or right end) of the slat 106. In other words, two different endlocks are not needed to secure the lefts side of the slat 106 and the right side of the slat 106.
In addition, the intersecting hole pattern 114 of the universal endlock 104 may allow the universal endlock 104 to be coupled to different types of slats. For example, the spacing of the openings 112 may be different on different types of slats 106. Thus, a single universal endlock 104 may be coupled to different types of slats 106 with different spacings of openings 112.
In one embodiment, the universal endlock 104 may be fabricated from stamped steel or metal. In another embodiment, the universal endlock 104 may be fabricated or molded from nylon (or any other suitable plastic or polymer).
In one embodiment, a first side 122 may be formed along the first edge 150 and a second side 124 may be formed along the second edge 152. The first edge 150 and the second edge 152 may be angled or curved. The first side 122 and the second side 124 may be bent towards the back side 119. The first side 122 and the second side 124 may be bent to approximately 90 degrees relative to the body 120. In other words, a plane of the front side 120 may be positioned approximately at 90 degrees or perpendicular relative to a plane on the first side 122 and the second side 124. It should be noted that the term “plane” may refer to an infinite two dimensional imaginary surface that would lie parallel to a particular surface.
In one embodiment, a first lip 126 may be formed along a first end 180 of the first side 122. A second lip 128 may be formed along a first end 182 of the second side 124. In one embodiment, the first lip 126 may be bent away from the first edge 150 and the second lip 128 may bent away from the second edge 152. The first lip 126 may be bent such that a plane of the first lip 126 is approximately 90 degrees or perpendicular to a plane of the first side 122. The second lip 128 may be bent such that a plane of the second lip 128 is approximately 90 degrees or perpendicular to a plane of the second side 124.
In one embodiment, a surface of the first lip 126 and a surface of the second lip 128 may lie on a common plane. The common plane of the first lip 126 and the second lip 128 may be approximately 90 degrees or perpendicular to a plane of the front side 118 of the body 120.
In one embodiment, the body 120, the first side 122, the second side 124, the first lip 126, and the second lip 128 may be formed from a single continuous piece of metal or steel. The metal or steel may be stamped to form the features and shapes in the relative orientation as described above. In another embodiment, the body 120, the first side 122, the second side 124, the first lip 126, and the second lip 128 may be coupled together as separate pieces via welding, glue, or any other coupling mechanism.
In one embodiment, the universal endlock 104 may include intersecting hole patterns 114. In one embodiment, each intersecting hole pattern 114 may be formed by an intersection of two circles at two points. The intersecting hole patterns 114 may be located in an approximate center of a width the body 120. The intersecting hole patterns 114 may be located towards the first end 150 and the second end 152 along a length of the body 120. As a result, the intersecting hole pattern 114 may allow a fastener to be positioned in two different positions, allowing the universal endlock 104 to be coupled to different types of slats 106 with differently spaced openings 112.
In one embodiment, a radius of the first circle 130 and the second circle 132 may be a function of the opening 112 of the slat 106 and a size of the fasteners used to couple the universal endlock 104 to the slat 106. In one embodiment, the radius of the first circle 130 and the second circle 132 may be approximately 0.136 inches+/−0.05 inches.
In one embodiment, the universal endlock 104 may include a pair of intersecting hole patterns 1141 and 1142. In one embodiment, the centers 134 and 136 of the intersecting hole patterns 1141 and 1142 may be aligned such that they lie on a common line that runs along a length of the body 120. In one embodiment, the common line may be located at approximately a center or midpoint of a width of the body 120. Line 170 illustrates an example line that may represent the common line that aligns the centers 134 and 136 of the intersecting hole patterns 1141 and 1142.
In one embodiment, a distance 138 between the center 136 of the intersecting hole pattern 1141 and the center 134 of the intersecting hole pattern 1142 may be approximately 1.00 inch+/−0.005 inches. In one embodiment, a distance 140 between the center 134 of the intersecting hole pattern 1141 and the center 136 of the intersecting hole pattern 1142 may be approximately 1.250 inches+/−0.005 inches.
In one embodiment, the intersecting hole patterns 1141 and 1142 may be located a distance 146 from the first edge 150 and the second edge 152, respectively. In one embodiment, the distance 146 may be 0.356 inches+/−0.005 inches.
Although the intersecting hole patterns 1141 and 1142 may have two intersecting circles 130 and 132, it should be noted that the intersecting hole patterns 1141 and 1142 may be formed from any number of intersecting circles. For example, if the slats 106 have openings 112 that are spaced in three different ways, then the intersecting hole pattern 114 may be formed by three intersecting circles. The opening between the intersecting circles may be small enough that the fastener would not be able to slide left and right when secured to the universal endlock 104 and the slat 106.
As can be seen in
In one embodiment, the first lip 126 and the second lip 128 may extend away from the first edge 150 and the second edge 152, respectively, with a length 144 that is sufficient to cover the circumference of the first rounded end 108 of a slat 106. Thus, when the first rounded end 108 and the second rounded end 110 of adjacent slats are interlocked, the first lip 126 and the second lip 128 may prevent the second rounded end 110 from sliding out of the first rounded end 108, as described above. In one embodiment, the length 144 may be approximately 0.565 inches+/−0.05 inches.
In one embodiment, the first side 122 and the second side 124 may be bent from the body 120 with a curve 156. In one embodiment, the curve 156 may have a radius of curvature of approximately 0.060 inches+/−0.005 inches. In another embodiment, the first side 122 and the second side 124 may be bent at an approximately 90 degree angle.
In one embodiment, a length 152 of the body 120 may be approximately 1.900 to 2.000 inches+/−0.005 inches. In one embodiment, the length 152 may be approximately 1.963 inches. In one embodiment, an overall length 154 of the universal endlock 104 may be approximately 3.000 inches to 3.100 inches+/−0.005 inches. In one embodiment, the overall length 154 may be approximately 3.093 inches.
In one embodiment, a height 160 or profile 160 of the first lip 126 and the second lip 128 may be less than a diameter or profile of the first rounded end 108 of the slats 106. As a result, when the universal endlock 104 is coupled to the slat 106, the first lip 126 and the second lip 128 may not protrude beyond the outer edges of the first rounded end 108. Thus, when the roll-up door 100 is coiled to open, the first lip 126 and/or the second lip 128 may not apply a bending force to slats located below that are coiled underneath.
In one embodiment, the height 160 of the first lip 126 and the second lip 128 may be the same and may be a function of the diameter of the first rounded end 108. In one embodiment, the height 160 may be approximately 0.450 inches to 0.550 inches+/−0.005 inches. In one embodiment, the height 160 may be approximately 0.505 inches.
In one embodiment, the thickness of the first side 122 and a length of the first lip 126 may have a total length 162. In one embodiment, the total length 162 may be approximately 0.625 inches+/−0.005 inches. The thickness of the second side 124 and the second lip 128 may have a similar total length 162.
In one embodiment, the corners 158 of the first lip 126 and the second lip 128 may be rounded. In one embodiment, the corners 158 may be rounded to have a radius of curvature of approximately 0.125 inches+/−0.005 inches.
In one embodiment, the body 120 may have a width 163. The width 163 may be approximately 1.000 inches+/−0.005 inches. In one embodiment, the universal endlock 104 may have an overall width 168. The overall width 168 may be approximately 1.120 inches+/−0.005 inches.
In one embodiment, the universal endlock 104 may have a height 164. In one embodiment, the height 164 may be approximately 0.625 inches+/−0.005 inches.
As noted above,
In one embodiment, the universal endlock 104 may include a first side 122, a second side 124, a first lip 126, and a second lip 128. The first side 122 may be bent along a first edge 150, as described above. The first lip 126 may be bent away from the first edge 150 and oriented relative to the body 120 and the first side 122, as described above.
In one embodiment, the second side 124 may be bent along a second edge 152, as described above. The second lip 128 may be bent away from the second edge 152 and oriented relative to the body 120 and the second side 124, as described above.
In one embodiment, the body 120, the first side 122, the second side 124, the first lip 126, and the second lip 128 may be molded from nylon as a single continuous piece. In another embodiment, the body 120, the first side 122, the second side 124, the first lip 126, and the second lip 128 may be coupled together as separate pieces using glue, melting/fusing techniques, and the like.
As shown in
In one embodiment, the universal endlock 104 fabricated from nylon may also include gussets 204 that are formed between a bottom side 119 of the body 120 and the first side 122 and the second side 124. In one embodiment, two gussets 204 may be formed between the body 120 and the first side 122 and two gussets 204 may be formed between the body 120 and the second side 124. The gussets 204 may provide additional strength to prevent the first side 122 and the second side 124 from being bent towards each other and breaking off from the body 120.
In one embodiment, the volume 202 may have a width 222 and a length 250. In one embodiment, the width 222 may be approximately 0.165 inches+/−0.005 inches. In one embodiment, the length 250 may be approximately 0.460 inches+/−0.0005 inches.
In one embodiment, the first lip 126 and the second lip 128 may have a width 220 and a length 218. In one embodiment, the width 220 may be approximately 0.375 inches+/−0.015 inches. The length 218 may be approximately 0.670 inches+/−0.015 inches.
In one embodiment, the outer edge of the first lip 126 from the first side 122 or the outer edge of the second lip 128 from the second side 124 may be set at a distance 212. In one embodiment, the distance 212 may be approximately 0.565 inches+/−0.005 inches.
In one embodiment, an inner side of the first lip 126 and the second lip 128 may be set at a distance 224 from a center 134 or 136 of the intersecting hole pattern 114. In one embodiment, the distance 224 may be approximately 0.542 inches+/−0.010 inches.
In one embodiment, the body 120 may have a length 214. The length 214 may be approximately 1.754 inches+/−0.005 inches. In one embodiment, the body 120 may have a width 226. The width 226 may be approximately 1.000 inches+/−0.005 inches.
In one embodiment, the universal endlock 104 may have an overall length 216. The overall length 216 may be approximately 2.900 inches to 3.100 inches. In one embodiment, the overall length 216 may be approximately 3.093 inches+/−0.005 inches.
In one embodiment, the body 120 may have a thickness 232. The thickness 232 of the body 120 may be approximately 0.105 inches+/−0.005 inches.
In one embodiment, the interlocking hole patterns 114 of the universal endlock 104 fabricated from nylon may include a lip. The lip may help provide structural integrity and additional strength to support a fastener coupled against the interlocking hole pattern 114 and the slat 106. In one example, the lip may have a height 248. The height 248 of the lip may be approximately 0.063 inches+/−0.005 inches.
In one embodiment, the height 236 may be a function of the diameter of the first rounded end 108. In one embodiment, the height 236 may be approximately 0.625 inches+/−0.015 inches.
In one embodiment, a height 234 of the volume 202 may be measured from a bottom of the volume 202 to a top of the first lip 126 or the second lip 128. In one embodiment, the height 234 of the volume 202 may be approximately 0.520 inches+/−0.005 inches. In other words, the depth of the volume 202 may be approximately 0.520 inches+/−0.005 inches.
In one embodiment, the universal endlock 104 fabricated from nylon may have an overall width 238. In one embodiment, the overall width 238 may be a sum of the width 226 of the body 120 and the width 220 of the first lip 126 or the second lip 128. The overall width 238 may be approximately 1.375 inches+/−0.005 inches.
In one embodiment, the gusset 204 may be formed with a width 244 and a height 240. In one embodiment, the width 244 may be approximately 0.125 inches+/−0.005 inches. In one embodiment, the height 240 may be approximately 0.189 inches+/−0.005 inches.
The present disclosure provides various dimensions for the universal endlock 104 fabricated from stamped steel/metal or nylon. It should be noted that the dimensions are provided as examples. However, as the size and dimensions of the slats 106 are changed, the dimensions of the universal endlock 104 may also be changed. However, the proportions of the dimensions relative to the various components (e.g., the dimensions of the first lip 126 to the first side 122 and the body 120) may remain constant even when the size of each individual dimension is changed.
Thus, the present disclosure provides a universal endlock 104 that may prevent slats 106 from being damaged as the roll-up door is coiled up and down. In addition, the universal endlock 104 may be used on either side of the roll-up door 100 to secure adjacent slats 106. Lastly, the universal endlock 104 of the present disclosure may be used on different types of slats 106 with different spacings of the openings 112.
As a result, a single universal endlock 104 may be manufactured and kept in inventory to reduce overall installation costs, manufacturing costs and inventory costs. In addition, the life of the roll-up door 100 may be increased as the universal endlock 104 of the present disclosure may prevent damage to the slats 106 unlike previous endlock designs.
It will be appreciated that variants of the above-disclosed and other features and functions, or alternatives thereof, may be combined into many other different systems or applications. Various presently unforeseen or unanticipated alternatives, modifications, variations, or improvements therein may be subsequently made by those skilled in the art which are also intended to be encompassed by the following claims.