Bi-fold door assembly

• US 3,957,102 A
• Filed: 02/24/1975
• Issued: 05/18/1976
• Est. Priority Date: 02/24/1975
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Garland Manufacturing Company
• Original Assignee: Garland Manufacturing Company
• Inventors: Kempel, John J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Frazier, Roy D.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Lyddane, William E.
• Application Number:
  US05/552,660
• Time in Patent Office: 449 Days
• Field of Search: 160/117, 160/118, 160/183, 160/199, 160/201, 160/206, 49/410, 49/411, 16/90, 16/93 R
• US Class Current: 160/206
• CPC Class Codes: E05D 15/266 comprising two pivots placed at opposite edges of the wing
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/132 Doors

Abstract

A bi-fold door assembly including a pair of bi-fold door panels hinged together and having means for fixed pivotal location provided at the upper and lower disposed corners of the first door panel and means for guided pivotal retention provided at the upper and lower disposed corners of the second door panel, on respective guide tracks. The pivotal location means including pivot brackets of a new and different design formed from a single stamping and the other means including slide blocks having snap lock engagement with guide pins used therewith and which are of a particular design to best serve their intended purpose.

Claims

1. A bi-fold door assembly for use in a doorway opening framed by a header, a sill and side wall jambs, said assembly including upper and lower track members mounted respectively on the header and sill and extending between the side wall jambs, a pair of bi-fold door panels hinged together at next adjacent side edges and of a size to extend between said track members and to close at least part of said doorway opening, means for fixed pivotal location provided between said track members and one of said door panels at the outer disposed upper and lower corners thereof, and means for guided pivotal retension provided between said track members and the other of said door panels at the opposite outer disposed upper and lower corners thereof, said means of fixed pivotal location including axially aligned pivot pins mounted in the upper and lower framing members of said one door panel and pivot brackets receptive thereof and provided on said track members, each of said pivot brackets being adjustable on said track members and each including a pivot bushing and means of fixing the adjusted location thereof, the upper disposed of said pivot pins being axially reciprocal and spring biased for ease of engagement and disengagement with its respective bushing, and the lower disposed of said pivot pins including means for setting the door height relative to said sill track member, said means of guided pivotal retention including axially aligned guide pins mounted in the upper and lower framing members of said other door panel and slide blocks receptive thereof and provided on said track members, and snap-fitted means of retaining engagement provided between said guide pins and said slide blocks (including);

said snap-fitted means including having slide blocks (being) formed for track engagement at relatively opposite side edges thereof, an opening provided clear through said slide blocks between opposite faces thereof and receptive of a guide pin therewithin, said guide pins having a tapered headed end formed to be axially received through said slide block openings and including a ring groove provided next adjacent thereto, and means provided within said slide block openings and between the open ends thereof for fitted engagement with said groove and retention of said guide pins to said slide blocks, said openings being relieved at one end of said slide blocks for providing yielding resistance in the extension of the headed end of said guide pins therethrough and snap-fitted engagement of said retention means within said ring grooves.

2. The bi-fold door assembly of claim 1, said ring groove and the retention means within said slide block openings being formed to provide shoulder stop bearing support for the lower disposed guide pin of said other door panel in said slide block and on said guide track therethrough.

3. The bi-fold door assembly of claim 2, said retention means including key segments formed within said slide blocks from the side walls of said openings and to extend therewithin.

4. The bi-fold door assembly of claim 3, said slide blocks being relieved through said one end and having the side edges thereof, which are formed for track engagement, including tapered guide track grooves for the yielding resistance required to receive and release a guide pin into and from snap-fitted engagement therewith.

5. The bi-fold door assembly of claim 4, the relief provided through the one end of said slide block including a slot receptive of a screw driver blade for forcibly spreading said opening and releasing a guide pin engaged therewithin.

6. The bi-fold door assembly of claim 5, said guide pins being outwardly extended for slide block retained engagement and having their opposite ends readily accessible for inward retraction thereof in the disengagement of said pins therefrom.

7. The bi-fold door assembly of claim 1, said pivot brackets including a one-piece stamping bent and formed to provide for track engagement and retention at one end and the receipt and support of a pivot pin bushing of the other end thereof, said one end also including set screw means for track holding engagement fixing the location of said pivot bracket, and snap-fitted pivot pin bushing received in the other end of said brackets and supported wholly thereupon.