Patent ID: 8356387
Filing Date: 2013-01-22
Classification: E05D,E05Y,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A structural integrity clamping assembly to reinforce a bi-fold door, the door comprising paired opposing pivot-anchored panels, one to the left and one to the right, and paired opposing channel guided panels, one member of the pair disposed to the left, the other member thereof to the right, each pivot-anchored panel comprising an interconnecting spring-loaded pin sector disposed either at its top or its bottom and an interconnecting retraction pin sector disposed in opposition to the interconnecting spring loaded pin sector at the panel's bottom or top, respectively; each channel-guided panel comprising at its top an interconnecting retraction pin sector; each structural integrity clamping assembly comprising the base plate assembly comprising the clamping plate assembly comprising each interconnection pin assembly comprising the jacket of each interconnection pin assembly configured for emplacement and retention within an interconnection pin retention well within the panel's interior at an interconnecting pin sector therein; the jacket of each interconnecting spring-loaded pin assembly comprising a pin spring; the pin spring and a portion of the length of the interconnecting pin thereof disposed within the jacket, the remaining portion thereof disposed to extend longitudinally outward therefrom; the disposition of the pin and spring being such that during the spring's expansion, a greater portion of the pin's length is thrust longitudinally outward and during the spring's contraction, is allowed to return into the jacket; wherein, with respect to the interconnection spring-loaded pin assembly so configured for emplacement and retention within the interconnecting spring-loaded pin sector of the door's pivot-anchored panel and an interconnection retraction pin assembly so configured for emplacement and retention within the interconnecting retraction pin sector of the door's pivot anchored panel, the outwardly extending portion of the interconnecting pin is disposed to seat, respectively, into either a pin receptacle of a stationary pin receptor disposed within the door's frame or a receptacle of a stationary pin receptor disposed upon the floor; wherein, with respect to either the interconnection retraction pin assembly or the interconnection spring-loaded pin assembly so configured for emplacement and retention within the interconnecting retraction pin sector of the door's channel guided panel, the outwardly extending portion of the interconnecting pin is disposed to move within a channel guide disposed within the door's frame; each interconnection retraction pin assembly so configured for emplacement and retention within an interconnecting retraction pin sector of either the door's pivot-anchored panel or its channel guided panel in turn comprising a portion of the length of the interconnecting pin of the interconnecting retraction pin assembly disposed within the jacket thereof, the remaining portion thereof disposed to extend longitudinally outward therefrom; the retraction nut disposed outside of the jacket in threaded communication with the pin's threaded sector such that the pin is advanced longitudinally outward from within the jacket as the retraction nut is rotably advanced along the threaded sector and retracted within the jacket as the nut is rotably withdrawn therealong; the base plate disposed for attachment upon a horizontal edge of the bi-fold door's respective panel at the respective interconnecting pin sector thereof; the jacket of each interconnection pin assembly disposed to pass longitudinally from within the pin retention well within the panel's interior through the pin jacket aperture of the base plate, such that the pin of the assembly becomes outwardly directed from the door panel's edge to continue for a pivot-anchored panel through the base plate into either a pin receptacle of a stationary pin receptor disposed within the door's frame or a receptacle of a stationary pin receptor disposed upon the floor; and to continue for a channel guided panel through the base plate into a pin receptacle of a moveable channel guided pin receptor disposed within the door's frame; the clamping plate disposed for attachment upon the face of the bi-fold door's respective panel at the respective interconnecting pin sector thereof; the clamping plate attachment means disposed for impingement upon the opposing side of the bi-fold door panel proximate the respective interconnection pin assembly so as to compress the plate tightly against the door and laterally constrain movement of the pin assembly within the door; wherein, by reason of the base plate and clamping plate assemblies, the likelihood of pin wobble and door splitting damage otherwise likely to occur by reason of continued wear upon the door panel during use is diminished.