Abstract:
An upward acting sectional door is disclosed having pinch-resistant joints and hinges. The hinges have a top member securable to the upper panel and a base member securable to the lower panel. The base member and top member are connected by first and second links, each of which have a first end pivotally connected to the top member and a second end pivotally connected to the base member. The geometry of the links insures that a foot which depends from the upper panel is always spaced closely enough to the lower panel that a person cannot easily insert a fingertip into the joint. The foot also acts to push a fingertip away from the joint as the door is closed. A door seal on each panel moves to engage the adjacent panel when the door is closed, but lifts away as the door opens.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates to the field of upward acting sectional doors such as those used on garages and the like, and more particularly to an improved hinge for use on such doors which prevents a person from pinching his or her fingers between door sections when closing the door. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Upward acting sectional doors are commonly used on garages, airplane hangars, warehouses, and other buildings where relatively large door openings must be selectively opened and closed. The doors are generally comprised of a plurality of horizontal sections joined together by hinges. Each door section is carried by rollers positioned at opposite ends thereof which engage respective roller tracks attached to the building on opposite sides of the door opening. Each door track includes a vertical portion proximate the door opening and a generally horizontal portion located above the door opening and perpendicular to the wall in which the door opening is formed. The vertical and horizontal portions of the door tracks are joined by arcuately curved portions. 
     The door rolls along the roller tracks between a closed position wherein the door covers the door opening and a raised position wherein the door is positioned on the horizontal portions of the roller tracks above the door opening in generally parallel relation to the floor. In order to move between the open and closed positions, the door must traverse the arcuate portion of the door tracks, and therefore it is required that the door be able to bend along the joints between the sections. 
     Upward acting sectional doors are provided with either torsional or extension springs which bias the door into the raised position in order to make them easier to open. A handle is generally provided proximate the bottom of the door for a user to grasp in order to raise and lower the door. 
     A common problem with upward acting sectional doors is that conventional hinges generally have their pivot pins spaced outwardly from the interior surface of the door such that fairly large gaps are created at the outside of the door along the joint when the door is opened. These gaps fold together when the door is pulled closed. Many users tend to grasp the door by the edges of the door sections instead of using the handle when pulling the door closed. Operating the door in this manner can cause the user&#39;s fingers or hands to be pinched between the door sections as they come together during closing. Inattentive bystanders are also subject to getting body parts caught in the joints as the doors close. Serious and painful injuries can result from these pinching accidents. 
     Most previous attempts so solve this problem have involved moving the pivot pin of the door hinge to a point located between the interior and exterior planes of the door and providing the door sections with mating arcuate top and bottom surfaces. This design allows the top and bottom surfaces of the door sections to rotate in close relation to one another so that no gap large enough to get a finger into is created when the door is opened. Doors of this general type are disclosed by U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,002,114; 5,782,283; 5,913,352; 5,921,307; 6,076,590; and 6,098,697. 
     Some of these designs, such as those disclosed by U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,002,114 and 6,098,697 require the use of door panels with elaborate mating surfaces which are expensive and difficult to construct. Other designs, such as those disclosed by U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,782,283; 5,913,352; and 5,921,307 are only well suited for use with non-insulated, single skin, metal doors where access to the interior of the door is not an issue. To adapt the designs shown by this second group of patents for use with a hollow core, solid core, or insulated door, pockets such as those shown in U.S. Pat. No. 6,076,590 would have to be provided. These pockets are undesirable because they weaken the door and decrease its insulating value. 
     What is needed is a garage door having simple and efficient pinch resistant hinges which do not have a pivot pin that must be installed between the interior and exterior planes of the door. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention comprises an upward acting sectional door wherein the lower edge of each door panel (with the exception of the lowermost panel) includes an elongated foot which extends downwardly from the lower edge proximate the outer surface of the door panel. The lower edge slopes upwardly from the foot toward the inner surface of the door panel. The lower edge further includes an elastomeric door seal for engaging the upper edge of the adjacent panel when the door is in the closed position and sealing the joint. The upper edge of each panel (with the exception of the uppermost panel) includes a ledge proximate the outer surface of the door panel for engaging the foot of the adjacent panel when the door is in the closed position. The upper edge slopes upwardly from the ledge toward the inner surface of the door panel. 
     Adjacent door panels are connected to one another by a plurality of hinges. Each hinge comprises a top member fastened to the inner surface of the upper door panel and a base member fastened to the inner surface of the lower door panel. The top member is connected to the base member by a short link and a long link; each of the links having a first end pivotally connected to the top member and a second end pivotally secured to the base member. The hinges are enclosed so that a user cannot easily be pinched by the internal components of the hinges. 
     The geometry of the hinge links insures that the foot of each door panel is always spaced less than nine millimeters from said upper edge of the adjacent panel, even when the door is in the fully open position. This close spacing between the panels does not provide sufficient clearance for a person to interpose a fingertip into the joint where it can be pinched. The foot also acts to push a fingertip positioned proximate the respective joint away from said joint as said door moves from the open position to the closed position. 
     The geometry of the hinges also acts to aids in the sealing of the joints between the panels. The door seal of each panel moves so as to engage the upper edge of the adjacent panel when the door is in the closed position, but lifts away from the upper edge as the door moves from the closed position toward the open position. This movement of the door seal relative to the adjacent panel prevents the seal from dragging against the adjacent panel and wearing prematurely. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the inside of an upward acting sectional door including the pinch resistant hinge and joint construction of the present invention. 
     FIG. 1 a  is an enlarged perspective view of one of the hinges of FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of one of the hinges of the present invention in a closed position taken generally along line  2 — 2  in FIG. 1 a  and a portion of a non-insulated door including one of the joints thereof 
     FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view the hinge and joint of FIG. 2 in a partially open position. 
     FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view the hinge and joint of FIG. 2 in the fully open position. 
     FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of one of the hinges of the present invention in a partially open position and including a door roller and roller carrier and a portion of an insulated door including one of the joints thereof 
     FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of one of the hinges of the present invention taken generally along line  6 — 6  in FIG.  2 . 
     FIG. 7 is a front view of one of the hinges of the present invention and including a door roller and roller carrier. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed structure. The drawings constitute a part of this specification and include exemplary embodiments of the present invention and illustrate various objects and features thereof. 
     Certain terminology will be used in the following description for convenience in reference only and will not be limiting. For example, the words “upwardly,” “downwardly,” “rightwardly,” and “leftwardly” will refer to directions in the drawings to which reference is made. The words “inwardly” and “outwardly” will refer to directions toward and away from, respectively, the geometric center of the embodiment being described and designated parts thereof Said terminology will include the words specifically mentioned, derivatives thereof and words of a similar import. 
     Referring to the drawings in more detail, and in particular to FIGS. 1 and 1 a , the reference number  1  generally designates an upward acting sectional door hinge for use on a door  2  comprised of a plurality of horizontal panels  3  which abut one another along respective joints  5  and are pivotally connected to one another by the hinges  1 . The door  2  is adapted to selectively cover a door opening (not shown) in a wall  11 . Each joint  5  is equipped with at least two hinges  1  including a pair of end hinges  1   a , which are located proximate the ends of the panels  3 . Depending on the length of the door  1 , the joints  5  may also include one or more intermediate hinges  1   b  spaced along the joint  5  between the end hinges  1   a . Each of the end hinges  1   a  includes a roller carrier  13  which carries a roller  15 . The rollers  15  rollingly engage a pair of standard roller tracks  17  having a vertical portion  19  mounted to the wall  11  proximate the ends of the door opening and a horizontal portion  21  which extends outwardly from the wall  11  above the door opening. The vertical portion  19  and horizontal portion  21  of each track  17  are connected by a curved portion  23 . 
     The door  2  will be described and depicted herein as being either a non-insulated metal door  2   a  (see FIGS.  2 - 4 ), or an insulated door  2   b  (see FIG. 5) having metal inner and outer skins with a layer of insulating material  24  sandwiched therebetween. It is to be understood, however, that the hinge  1  of the present invention may be used with doors  2  constructed of any of the variety of other materials commonly used in the manufacture of upward acting sectional doors, including wood, aluminum fiberglass, and composite materials. It is to be further understood that the hinge  1  may be used with doors  2  incorporating various joint designs. 
     Non-Insulated Door 
     Referring to FIG. 2, the non-insulated door  2   a  is comprised of a plurality of horizontal panels  3   a  which abut one another along respective joints  5   a  and are pivotally connected to one another by the hinges  1 . Since each of the joints  5   a  are identical, only one of the joints  5   a  will be described in detail herein. Each joint  5   a  lies between a pair of the door panels  3   a  such that the panel  3   a  located directly below a respective joint  5   a  may be designated as a lower panel  3   a ′ and the panel  3   a  directly above the joint  5   a  may be designated as an upper panel  3   a ″ relative to the respective joint  5   a . The lower panel  3   a ′ has an inner surface  25 , an outer surface  27 , an upper edge  29  and a lower edge (not shown). Similarly, the upper panel  3   a ″ has an inner surface  31 , an outer surface  33 , a lower edge  35 , and an upper edge (not shown). The door panels  3   a  may be hollow core panels in which the inner surfaces  25  and  31  continue along the entire length of the respective panels  3   a , or the panels  3   a  may be of a stile-and-rail construction which is generally open on the interior side. In the case of stile-and-rail type non-insulated panel  3   a , the inner surfaces  25  and  31  are the interior portions of stiles positioned at the ends of the respective panels  3   a  and at intermediate positions therebetween. 
     The upper edge  29  of the lower panel  3   a ′ has an outer ledge  37  which is proximate the outer surface  27  and generally perpendicular thereto. From the outer ledge  37 , the upper edge  29  of the lower panel  3   a ′ curves upwardly through a convexly arced portion  39  to an inner portion  41  which is proximate the inner surface  25  and generally perpendicular thereto. 
     The lower edge  35  of the upper panel  3   a ″ is shaped to mate with the upper edge  29  of the lower panel  3   a ′ when the door  2   a  is in the closed position. The lower edge  35  includes an outer foot  43  proximate the outer surface  33  which is sized to engage the outer ledge  37  of the lower panel  3   a ′. From the outer foot  43 , the lower edge  35  curves upwardly through a concavely arced portion  45  to an inner portion  47  which is proximate the inner surface  31  and generally perpendicular thereto. An elastomeric joint seal  49  is set into the concave portion  45  of the upper panel  3   a ′ for engaging the convex portion  39  of the lower panel  3   a ′ and thereby sealing the joint  5   a  against drafts and water leakage. A bead or inner foot  51  extends downwardly from the inner portion  47  of the upper panel  3   a ″ which is adapted to abut the inner portion  41  of the lower panel  3   a ′ in the closed position to provide the proper spacing for the seal  49 . 
     Insulated Door 
     Referring to FIG. 5, the insulated door  2   b  is comprised of a plurality of horizontal panels  3   b  which abut one another along respective joints  5   b  and are pivotally connected to one another by the hinges  1 . Since each of the joints  5   b  are identical, only one of the joints  5   b  will be described in detail herein. Each joint  5   b  lies between a pair of the door panels  3   b  such that the panel  3   b  located directly below the joint  5   b  may be designated as a lower panel  3   b ′ and the panel  3   b  directly above the joint  5   b  may be designated as an upper panel  3   b ″ relative to the particular joint  5   b . The lower panel  3   b ′ has an inner surface  53 , a outer surface  55 , an upper edge  57  and a lower edge (not shown). Similarly, the upper panel  3   b ″ has an inner surface  59 , an outer surface  61 , a lower edge  63 , and an upper edge (not shown). 
     The upper edge  57  of the lower panel  3   b ′ has an outer ledge  65  which is proximate the outer surface  61  and generally perpendicular thereto. From the outer ledge  65 , the upper edge  57  of the lower panel  3   b ′ slopes upwardly through a first inclined portion  67  to a thermal break  69  which is filled with a silicone material  71  to decrease the conduction of heat through the upper edge  57 . From the thermal break  69 , the upper edge  57  again slopes upwardly through a second inclined portion  73 . At the top of the second inclined portion  73 , the upper edge  57  steps downwardly to an inner notch or rabbet  75  which is proximate the inner surface  59  and generally perpendicular thereto. 
     The lower edge  63  of the upper panel  3   b ″ is shaped to mate with the upper edge  57  of the lower panel  3   b ′ when the door  2   b  is in the closed position. The lower edge  63  includes an outer foot  81  proximate the outer surface  61  which is sized to engage the outer ledge  65  of the lower panel  3   b ′. From the outer foot  81 , the lower edge  63  angles upwardly through an inclined portion  83  to an inner portion  85 . An elastomeric joint seal  87  is set into the inclined portion  83  of the upper panel  3   b ″ for engaging the first inclined portion  67  of the lower panel  3   b ′ and thereby sealing the joint  5   b  against drafts and water leakage. The inner portion  85  includes a thermal break  89  which, like the thermal break  69  is filled with silicone material  71  and decreases the conduction of heat through the lower edge  63 . The lower edge  63  further includes an inner foot  91  which depends downwardly from the inner portion  85  proximate the inner surface  59 . The inner foot  91  is sized and shaped to engage the rabbet  75  of the lower panel  3   b ′ when the door  2   b  is in the closed position. 
     Hinge 
     As best seen in FIG. 2, each hinge  1  includes a top member  101  which is fastened to the upper door panel  3   a ″ or  3   b ″ and a base member  103  which is fastened to the lower door panel  3   a ′ or  3   b ′. The top member  101  is pivotally connected to the base member  103  through two links; a first or long link  105  and a second or short link  107 . The top member  101 , base member  103 , long link  105 , and short link  107  are preferably stamped out of heavy sheet steel, such as 0.080 inch thick, galvanized cold-rolled steel. The top member  101  and base member  103  may be fastened to the respective door panels  3  using screws or bolts  109  of a size and type appropriate for the construction of the door panels  3 . Self-tapping bolts  109  are shown engaging the respective door panels  3 . 
     The top member  101  of each hinge  1  includes a mounting flange  113  having a plurality of mounting holes  115  (four shown in FIG. 6) for receiving the bolts  109 . The top three mounting holes  115  are preferably used when mounting an end hinge  1   a ; the center two holes  115  are used when mounting an intermediate hinge  1   b . The holes  115  are preferably elongated to allow adjustment of the positioning of the top member  101  relative to the upper panel  3   a ″ or  3   b ″. A cantilever  117  is connected to the lower end of the mounting flange  113  and extends outwardly and downwardly therefrom. The distal end of the cantilever  117  is rolled into a sleeve  119  for receiving a first hinge pin  121 . The cantilever  117  further includes a pair of side flanges  123  which extend downwardly from the cantilever  117  along opposed side edges thereof. The side flanges  123  include aligned holes or receivers  125  for receiving a second hinge pin  127 . In forming the receivers  125 , the metal around the receivers  125  is extruded inwardly to form spacers  126 . The mounting flange  113  and cantilever  117  may also include raised portions  129  which provide rigidity for the top member  101 . 
     The base member  103  is of a generally C-shaped cross section and includes a mounting plate  131  and a pair of side flanges  133  which extend outwardly from the mounting plate  131  along opposing side edges thereof The mounting plate  131  includes a plurality of mounting holes  135  (two shown) for receiving a corresponding number of the mounting bolts  109  for attaching the base member  103  to the lower door panel  3   a ′ or  3   b ′. The side flanges  133  include an aligned pair of upper receivers  137  for accepting a third hinge pin  139 , and an aligned pair of lower receivers  141  for receiving a fourth hinge pin  143 . The metal around the upper receivers  137  and lower receivers  141  is extruded inwardly to form spacers  145  and  147  respectively. The upper receivers  137  and lower receivers  141  are spaced outwardly from the mounting plate  131  the same distance as the receivers  125  in the top member  101  are spaced outwardly from the mounting flange  113 . Therefore, the receivers  125 ,  137 , and  141  all lie along a plane spaced outwardly from and generally parallel to the inner surfaces  31  and  25  of the door panels  3  when the door  2  is in the closed position. 
     The side flanges  133  each include an outer edge  149  which is formed in a succession of segments, each segment having a greater pitch angle than its successor, such that the outer edges  149  are of a multi-sided shape approximating a quarter circle. Proximate the outer edges  149 , the side flanges  133  are offset outwardly to receive a hinge cover  151  (to be described later) which snaps into place between the side flanges  133 . A plurality of holes  153  are provided in the side flanges  133  to receive corresponding protrusions or buttons  155  on the hinge cover  151  which hold the hinge cover  151  in place. The upper edges of the side flanges  133  include a notch  157  which provides clearance for the upper door panel  3   a ″ or  3   b ″ as the door  2  is opened. 
     The long link  105  comprises a plate  159  having side flanges  161  formed along opposed sides thereof One end of the plate  159  is rolled to form a sleeve  163 . The side flanges  161  have aligned receivers  165  formed therein proximate the end of the link  105  opposite the sleeve  163 . The metal around the receivers  165  is extruded inwardly to form spacers  167 . The side flanges  161  are spaced apart such that the top member sleeve  119  will fit transversely between the spacers  167  associated with the receivers  165 . The long link  105  is pivotally connected to the top member  101  by the first hinge pin  121  which is inserted through the receivers  165  and the top member sleeve  119 . The long link  105  is pivotally connected to the base member  103  by the fourth hinge pin  143  which is inserted through the base member lower receivers  141  and the link sleeve  163 . The ends of the hinge pins  121  and  143  are then peened to retain the long link  105  in position. 
     The short link  107  generally comprises a plate  171  which is rolled at each end to form respective first and second sleeves  173  and  175 . The first sleeve  173  is of a length sized to fit between the spacers  126  associated with the receivers  125  of the top member  101 , and the second sleeve  175  is sized to fit between the spacers  145  associated with the upper receivers  137  of the base member  103 . The short link  107  is pivotally connected to the top member  101  by the second hinge pin  127 , which is inserted through the first sleeve  173  and the top member receivers  125 . The short link  107  is pivotally connected to the base member  103  by the third hinge pin  139 , which is inserted through the second sleeve  175  and the base member upper receivers  137 . The ends of the hinge pins  127  and  139  are then peened to retain the short link  107  in position. 
     The hinge cover  151  may be stamped out of sheet steel of the same type as used to form the other parts of the hinge  1 , or may be made of a high impact plastic material. The hinge cover  151  includes an outer guard panel  177  and a pair of opposed side panels  179 . The guard panel  177  repeats the multi-sided shape of the outer edge  149  of the base member side flanges  133  and is of a width generally equal to that of the base member  103 . The side panels  179  are offset inwardly such that they fit snugly between the outwardly offset portions of the base member side flanges  133 . Each of the side panels  179  contains a number of radial slits  181  such that the panel  179  is divided into a number of fingers  183  which may flex relative to the guard panel  177 . Each of the fingers  183  includes one of the buttons  155  which projects outwardly therefrom. The hinge cover  151  snaps in place over the lower portion of the base member  103  with the buttons  155  engaging the side flange holes  153 . When the hinge cover  151  is installed, the guard panel  177  is spaced outwardly from the base member  103  a sufficient distance for the long link  105  and cantilever  117  of the top member  101  to rotate inside the hinge cover  151 . The hinge cover  151  thereby serves to prevent a user from getting his or her fingers pinched between the long link  105  and the base member mounting plate  131  as the door  2  is operated. 
     Roller Carriers 
     As best seen in FIGS. 5 and 7, each of the end hinges  1   a  further includes a roller carrier  13  for carrying one of the door rollers  15 . The roller carrier  13  includes a generally L-shaped mounting bracket  185  and an axle clamp  187  through which an axle  189  of the roller  15  is inserted. The mounting bracket  185  includes a first leg  191  sized and shaped to abut the top member mounting flange  113  of the respective hinge  1   a , and a second leg  193  which extends outwardly therefrom. The first leg  191  includes a plurality of mounting holes or slots  195  which are equally sized and spaced with the top three mounting holes  115  in the top member mounting flange  113 . The carrier mounting bracket  185  is held in position relative to the hinge  1   a  by the mounting bolts  109  which pass through both the mounting holes  195  in the bracket  185  and the corresponding mounting holes  115  in the top member mounting flange  113 . The first leg  191  also includes a pair of elongate feet  197  which engage the inner surface  31  or  59  of the respective upper door panel  3   a ″ or  3   b ″ on opposite sides of the top member mounting flange  113 . The second leg  193  of the bracket  185  includes a longitudinal center slot  199 . Gussets  201  are formed at the intersection of the first leg  191  and the second leg  193  for strength. 
     The axle clamp  187  comprises an elongated, tubular axle receiver  203  having a lower clamp flange  205  extending outwardly from a bottom portion thereof and an upper clamp flange  207  extending outwardly from a top portion thereof Aligned holes  209  are formed in the first and second clamp flanges  205  and  207 . The axle clamp  187  is attached to the second leg  193  of the mounting bracket  185  by a bolt  211  which is inserted through the holes  209  and the center slot  199 . A pair of ears  213  extend downwardly from the lower clamp flange  205  on opposite sides of the bracket second leg  193  to keep the axle clamp  187  aligned transversely with the bracket second leg  193 . The axle clamp  187  may be moved longitudinally along the slot  199  to adjust the spacing between the door  2  and the wall  11 . Tightening down the bolt  211  locks the axle clamp  187  into position relative to the bracket  185 . 
     Operation 
     In use, the hinges  1  operate in conjunction with the design of the joints  5  to make the door  2  pinch resistant. The range of motion of a hinge  1  secured to the non-insulated door  2   a  is shown in FIGS. 2-4. As the door  2   a  is raised and lowered, the hinges  1  and their respective joints  5   a  move from a closed position shown in FIG. 2, wherein the upper panel  3   a ″ is vertically aligned with the lower panel  3   a ′ through a partially opened position shown in FIG. 3; to a fully open position shown in FIG. 4 wherein the upper panel  3   a ″ is at an approximately 260 degree angle relative to the lower panel  3   a ′. The hinge  1  cannot move past the fully open position because the long link plate  159  abuts against the base member mounting plate  131  in this position and thereby prevents further movement. The link plate  159  includes a pair of clearance holes  215  which provide clearance for the heads of the mounting bolts  109 . 
     In the fully open position, the foot  43  of the upper panel lower edge  35  is positioned less than nine millimeters from the top edge  29  of the lower panel  3   a ′, which is the industry standard for pinch resistance. This close spacing between the foot  43  and the lower panel upper edge  29  makes it difficult or impossible for a person to get his or her fingers in between the door panels  3   a ′ and  3   a ″. As the joint  5   a  moves toward its closed position, the foot  43  tends to push the person&#39;s fingers away from the joint  5   a  instead of capturing the fingers between the panels  3   a ′ and  3   a ″. The person&#39;s fingers are also protected from being pinched by the internal components of the hinge  1 , as the hinges  1  are enclosed by the cantilever  117  and side flanges  123  of the top member  101  acting in combination with the base member side flanges  133  and hinge cover  151 . 
     In addition to providing pinch resistance, the design of the hinges  1  helps to properly seal the joints  5   a  against wind and rain infiltration. In the closed position, the elastomeric joint seal  49  connected to the lower edge  35  of the upper panel  3   a ″ contacts the upper edge  29  of the lower panel  3   a ′ to seal the joint  5   a . As the joint  5   a  opens, the seal  49  is pulled away from the upper edge  29 . This pulling-away motion of the seal  49  prevents premature wear of the seal  49  which would occur if the seal were dragged across the lower panel upper edge  29 . The seal  49  reseats against the lower panel upper edge  29  as the joint  5   a  moves into the closed position. 
     The hinge  1  works with the joint  5   b  of the insulated door  2   b  in a fashion consistent with that described above in reference to the non-insulated door  2   a . In the open position, the gap between the outer foot  81  of the upper panel lower edge  63  and the lower panel upper edge  57  is too small for a person to get his or her fingers in. As the door  2   b  closes, the outer foot  81  tends to push the person&#39;s fingers away from the joint  5   b , preventing them from being captured between the panels  3   b ′ and  3   b .″ In the closed position, the seal  87  engages the first inclined surface  67  to prevent air and water infiltration through the joint  5   b . As the door  2   b  opens, the seal  87  lifts away from the lower panel upper edge  57  to prevent unnecessary wear of the seal  87 . 
     It should be noted that the same hinge  1  is suitable for use on both the noninsulated door  2   a  and the insulated door  2   b , despite the fact that the non-insulated door shown in FIG. 2 is of a greater thickness than is the insulated door of FIG.  5 . The hinge  1  can be used on doors  2  of different thicknesses while still maintaining the proper spacing between the panels  3  during opening and closing by adjusting the location of the hinges  1  relative to the joints  5 . The hinge  1  on the non-insulated door  2   a  in FIG. 2 is, therefore, positioned somewhat lower relative to the respective joint  5   a  than is the hinge  1  relative to the joint  5   b  of the insulated door  2   b  in FIG.  5 . 
     It is to be understood that while certain forms of the present invention have been illustrated and described herein, it is not to be limited to the specific forms or arrangement of parts described and shown.