Patent ID: 6527037
Filing Date: 2003-03-04
Classification: E05D,E05Y,E06B

Abstract:
A tensioner in a rolling door system, the rolling door system having a door operatively attached to at least one wheel supported on an axle, the axle being rotatably supported on a pair of support brackets, said support brackets each defining a bore through which the axle is received and a counterbalance assembly that generates a counterbalancing force, the counterbalance assembly having a first end attached to the door and a second end attached to the tensioner, the tensioner comprising, a sleeve that fits over an end of the axle and is rotatably supported in said bore of one of said support brackets, a spring holder and a gear wheel attached to said sleeve, wherein the second end of the counterbalance assembly attaches to said spring holder, said gear wheel having a plurality of teeth defining a plurality of notches therebetween, said teeth being undercut against the direction of the counterbalancing force, a pawl movable between a disengaged position and an engaged position, said pawl rotatably retaining said gear wheel when in said engaged position, said pawl being biased toward said engaged position, whereby said pawl automatically engages said gear wheel to retain the counterbalancing force imparted by said counterbalance assembly to balance the weight of the door.