Patent ID: 8371356
Filing Date: 2013-02-12
Classification: E05D,E05F,E05Y,E06B

Abstract:
1. A garage door apparatus, comprising: a) a frame for mounting above an opening, the frame comprising a pair of spaced transverse frame members; b) a shaft rotatably coupled to the transverse frame members and extending along a longitudinal axis of rotation between the transverse frame members; c) a pair of spaced winding frames rigidly coupled to the shaft between the spaced transverse frame members, each of the winding frames having a plurality of side edges; d) a driver couplable to the shaft for rotating the shaft with respect to the transverse frame members; e) a plurality of elongate door panels hingedly coupled together and linked to the winding frames, each of the door panels being of equal width and having a longitudinal panel length, and each of the door panels having opposing panel side edges and hinges provided on the panel side edges for coupling with hinges on an adjacent door panel, each of the hinges and panel side edges having a groove therein; and f) a pair of guide channel assemblies for mounting adjacent opposite vertical sides of the opening, each guide channel assembly including rollers transversely mounted therein, the rollers sized and shaped for engaging with the grooves in the hinges and side edges as the door panels move between an extended position and a retracted position; and g) wherein the winding frames are spaced apart a predetermined distance that is less than the panel length of the plurality of door panels, such that when the winding frames are rotated by the driver about the axis of rotation, the side edges of the winding frames progressively engage each of the door panels thereby moving the door panels between the extended position wherein the door panels obstruct the opening, and the retracted position wherein each door panel is wound onto one of the side edges of the winding frames and the opening is at least partially unobstructed.