Curtain door installation system

• US 8,602,389 B2
• Filed: 08/31/2012
• Issued: 12/10/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 07/30/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Charles L. Nunley
• Original Assignee: Charles L. Nunley
• Inventors: Nunley, Charles L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Wilson, Lee D
• Application Number:
  US13/601,649
• Publication Number:
  US 20120325998A1
• Time in Patent Office: 466 Days
• Field of Search: 254/4.R, 254/2.B, 254/133.R, 254/134, 254/4.B, 280/79.4, 280/47.131, 280/63, 414/427, 414/426, 414/428
• US Class Current: 254/4.R
• CPC Class Codes: B66C 23/48 Manually-movable jib cranes for use in workshops
• CPC Class Codes: B66F 9/075 Constructional features or details
• CPC Class Codes: B66F 9/12 Platforms; Forks; Other load supporting or gripping members
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 9/08 Roll-type closures roller blinds E06B9/40; operating, guiding or securing devices or arrangements for roll-type closures E06B9/56; usable only as awnings E04F10/06

Abstract

A cradle assembly for supporting and installing a rolled curtain door comprises roller assemblies configured to support, and permit the rolling of, a rolled curtain door thereon. The cradle may be mated with the tines of a fork on a lifting device. A lift assembly having a tower and base may be attached to the cradle assembly for manually positioning, and mechanically elevating the cradle and door when installing the door above an opening. The tower is extended by a piston-and-cylinder unit. A winch motor and cable, or a boom hoist attached to the tower may be used to load a door onto the cradle.

Claims

1. A cradle for supporting a rolled curtain door, comprising:

a cross member extending between a first end and a second end;

a first and a second roller assembly, each roller assembly, comprising;

(a) a frame, comprising;

(1) a first side member extending between an upper end and a lower end, wherein the lower end is connected to the cross member, and the upper end extends away from the lower end; and

(2) a second side member extending between an upper end and a lower end, the second side member disposed opposite to and spaced apart from the first side member, and wherein the lower end is connected to the cross member, and the upper end extends upward and away from the lower end; and

(b) a plurality of rolling mechanisms disposed between the first side member and second side member arranged in an upwardly-open C-shaped configuration for rollingly supporting a rolled curtain door; and

wherein the first roller assembly is connected adjacent the cross member first end; and

the second roller assembly is connected adjacent the cross member second end.

2. The cradle of claim 1, wherein:

the first side member extends between a front end and a rear end, and the upper end forms an upwardly-open C-shaped edge;

the second side member extends between a front end and a rear end, and the upper end forms an upwardly-open C-shaped edge;

a first connector extends between the first side member front end, and the second side member front end; and

a second connector extends between the first side member rear end, and the second side member rear end.

3. The cradle of claim 2, further comprising:

a first slot centrally located within the lower end of the first side member for connecting the first side member to the cross member; and

a second slot centrally located within the lower end of the second side member for connecting the second side member to the cross member.

4. The cradle of claim 3, further comprising:

a first beam connecting the first side member of the first roller assembly to the cross member; and

a second beam connecting the second side member of the second roller assembly to the cross member.

5. The cradle of claim 1, further comprising a third roller assembly connected to the cross member, wherein the third roller assembly is disposed between the first roller assembly and the second roller assembly.

6. The cradle of claim 1, further comprising a wheel depending from the roller assembly for supporting the cradle on a surface.

7. The cradle of claim 1, further comprising:

a first receiver connected to the cross member for receiving a tine of a lifting fork; and

a second receiver connected to the cross member and spaced apart from the first receiver for receiving a tine of a lifting fork.

8. The cradle of claim 1, wherein the rolling mechanism comprises:

a shaft; and

a tubular member rotatably mounted to the shaft.

9. A cradle for supporting a rolled curtain door, comprising:

a cross member extending between a first end and a second end;

a roller assembly, comprising;

(a) frame, comprising;

(i) a first side member extending between a front end and a rear end, and an upper end and a lower end, wherein the lower end is connected to the cross member, and the upper end extends away from the lower end forming an upwardly-open C-shaped edge;

(ii) a second side member extending between a front end and a rear end, and an upper end and a lower end, the second side member disposed opposite to and spaced apart from the first side member, and wherein the lower end is connected to the cross member, and the upper end extends upward and away from the lower end forming an upwardly-open C-shaped edge;

(b) a plurality of rolling mechanisms extending between a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is connected to the first side member upper end and the second end is connected to the second side member upper end, wherein the rolling mechanisms are arranged adjacent the upwardly-open C-shaped edge forming an upwardly-open support for rollingly supporting a rolled curtain door;

a first receiver connected to the cross member adjacent the first side member; and

a second receiver connected to the cross member adjacent the second side member.

10. The cradle of claim 9, further comprising:

a first connector extending between the first side member rear end and the second side member front end; and

a second connector extending between the first side member front end and the second side member rear end.

11. The cradle of claim 10, further comprising a plurality of wheels depending from the bottom end of the first side member and second side member.

12. The cradle of claim 9, wherein the rolling mechanism comprises:

a shaft; and

a tubular member rotatably mounted to the shaft.

13. A cradle for supporting a rolled curtain door, comprising:

a cross member extending between a first end and a second end;

a roller assembly, comprising;

(a) a frame, comprising;

(i) a first side member extending between a front end and a rear end, and a lower end and an upper end, wherein the upper end forms an upwardly-open C-shaped edge;

(ii) a first slot centrally located within the lower end of the first side member for connecting the first side member to the cross member;

(iii) a second side member disposed opposite the first side member and extending between a front end and a rear end, and a lower end and an upper end, wherein the upper end forms an upwardly-open C-shaped edge;

(iv) a second slot centrally located within the lower end of the second side member for connecting the second side member to the cross member; and

(v) a connector extending between the first side member and the second side member;

(b) a plurality of rolling mechanisms disposed between the first side member and the second side member adjacent the upwardly-open C-shaped edge for rollingly supporting a rolled curtain door, the rolling mechanism comprising;

(i) a shaft extending between a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is connected to the first side member and the second end is connected to the second side member; and

(ii) a tubular member rotatably mounted to the shaft;

wherein a first roller assembly is connected adjacent the cross member first end, a second roller assembly is connected adjacent the cross member second end, and a third roller assembly is connected to the cross member between the first roller assembly and the second roller assembly;

a first receiver connected to the cross member; and

a second receiver connected to the cross member and spaced apart from the first receiver.

14. The cradle of claim 13, further comprising:

a first beam connecting the first side member of the first roller assembly to the cross member; and

a second beam connecting the second side member of the second roller assembly to the cross member.

15. The cradle of claim 13, further comprising:

a first wheel depending from the front of the bottom end of the first side member of the first roller assembly;

a second wheel depending from the rear of the bottom end of the first side member of the first roller assembly;

a third wheel depending from the front of the bottom end of the second side member of the second roller assembly;

a fourth wheel depending from the rear of the bottom end of the second side member of the second roller assembly;

a fifth wheel depending from the bottom end of the first side member of the third roller assembly;

a sixth wheel depending from the bottom end of the second side member of the third roller assembly.