Overhead door support structure and operator support members

• US 6,250,360 B1
• Filed: 08/30/1999
• Issued: 06/26/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 01/22/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Vista Engineering Services Incorporated
• Original Assignee: ICON Engineering, Inc.
• Inventors: Ochoa, Carlos M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Johnson, Blair M.
• Application Number:
  US09/386,097
• Time in Patent Office: 666 Days
• Field of Search: 160/201, 160/178.1 R, 160/133, 160/188, 16/96.R, 16/87.R, 16/94.R
• US Class Current: 160/201
• CPC Class Codes: E05D 13/1215 specially adapted for overhead wings E05D13/1223 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E05D 15/165 Details, e.g. sliding or rolling guides E05D15/18 - E05D15/24 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E05D 15/24 consisting of parts connected at their edges
• CPC Class Codes: E05D 15/242 Hinge connections between the parts
• CPC Class Codes: E05D 5/06 Bent flaps
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2201/684 Rails; Tracks
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/106 for garages
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 3/485 Sectional doors

Abstract

A track support structure (30) for a sectional overhead garage door (10) having rollers (16) for guiding the door (10) between open and closed positions. The track support structure (30) has a track (38) and a track support beam (40). Track (38) has an upper horizontal flange (38) and a lower trough (72). The free edge of the trough (72) has an inturned tubular bead (74) and the free edge of upper flange (38) has an inturned tubular bead (74). An angle-shaped track support beam (40) has legs (88) and (90). The free edges of legs (88) and (90) have respective tubular beads (92) and (94). Tubular beads (92), (94) have a diameter between 1½ and 2½ times the diameter of beads (74), (76) on track (38). Embodiments shown in FIGS. 8-10 include an automatic door operator (104) having a channel-shaped support beam (110, 110A) with tubular beads (116, 116A) on laterally extending flanges (112, 112A, 114, 114A).

Claims

1. A track support structure for a sectional overhead door having rollers for guiding the door between open and closed positions;

said track support structure comprising;

a track constructed for supporting the rollers and door in an open position, said track defining in cross section an upper horizontal flange, a vertical side flange integral with said horizontal flange, and a lower trough integral with said vertical flange, said trough and said horizontal flange each having a free edge;

a track support member secured to said vertical side flange of said track for supporting said track; and

a tubular bead extending along the free edge of each of said horizontal flange and said trough, said tubular beads being of an elliptical cross section wherein the minor axis is at least about 45 percent of the major axis.

2. A track support structure as defined in claim 1 wherein said track support member is angle-shaped including a horizontal leg and a vertical leg, said vertical leg of said track support member being secured to said vertical side flange of said track;

and

a tubular bead extends along the free edge of each of said legs of said track support member, said tubular beads of said track support member being of an elliptical cross section wherein the minor axis is at least about 45 percent of the major axis.

3. A track support structure as defined in claim 1 wherein said tubular beads on said trough and said horizontal flange of said track are turned inwardly of respective said trough and horizontal flange.

4. A track support structure as defined in claim 2 wherein said tubular beads on said legs of said track support member are turned inwardly of respective said legs.

5. A track support structure for a sectional overhead door having rollers for guiding the door between open and closed positions;

said track support structure comprising;

a track having a vertical track section constructed for positioning adjacent a side of said door, a horizontal track section, and a curved intermediate portion connecting said horizontal track section to said vertical track section, said track sections defining an upper horizontal flange and a lower trough each having a free edge;

a tubular bead along the free edge of said trough and along the free edge of said horizontal flange;

an angle-shaped track support member secured to said horizontal section of said track defining a horizontal leg and a vertical leg, said vertical leg being secured to said track; and

a tubular bead along the free edge of said legs of said track support member, said tubular beads of said track support member being of an elliptical cross section wherein the minor axis is at least about 45 percent of the major axis.

6. A track support structure as defined in claim 5 wherein said track further comprises a vertical side flange integral with said horizontal flange and said lower trough;

and said vertical leg of said angle-shaped track support member is secured to said vertical side flange of said track in face-to-face contact relation.

7. A track support structure as defined in claim 6 wherein said tubular beads on said legs of said track support member are turned inwardly of said legs.

8. In an overhead garage door arrangement including a horizontally hinged sectional door movable between open and closed positions and having rollers thereon;

a track construction for guiding said rollers and supporting said door comprising;

a pair of generally parallel track support structures adjacent a door frame along opposed sides of said door and supporting said rollers for guided movement between said open and closed positions of said door;

each track support structure having a track for said rollers;

said track having a vertical track section adjacent a side of said door, and a horizontal track section for supporting the rollers and door in an open position including a curved intermediate portion connecting said horizontal track section to said vertical track section;

said track sections defining in cross section an upper horizontal flange, a vertical flange integral with said horizontal flange, and a lower trough integral with said vertical flange to receive the rollers;

a horizontally extending angle-shaped track support member extending horizontally from said door frame to said track including a horizontal leg and a vertical leg, said vertical leg being secured in face-to-face contact with said vertical flange of said track; and

a tubular bead extending along the free edge of each of said legs, said tubular beads of said track support member being of an elliptical cross section wherein the minor axis is at least about 45 percent of the major axis.

9. In an overhead garage door structure as defined in claim 8 wherein said tubular beads are inturned inwardly of the respective legs, and said horizontal leg of said track support member is generally in a horizontal plane with said upper horizontal flange of said track.

10. In an overhead garage door arrangement as defined in claim 8 further comprising:

a vertically extending support member secured to said door frame adjacent said curved intermediate portion;

said horizontally extending support member and said curved intermediate portion being secured to said vertically extending support member.

11. In an overhead garage door arrangement as defined in claim 10 wherein said vertically extending support member comprise an angle having a pair of legs, one of said legs extending outwardly from said door frame and being secured to said curved intermediate portion and said horizontally extending track support member.

12. In an overhead garage door arrangement as defined in claim 8 further comprising:

a vertically extending hanger supporting of said horizontal track section, said hanger support comprising an angle including a pair of legs; and

a tubular bead along the free edge of each leg of said hanger, said tubular beads being of an elliptical cross section wherein the minor axis is at least about 45 percent of the major axis.