Abstract:
A pivoting bracket for connecting adjacent panels of an articulated door. The pivoting bracket has a generally cylindrical base and an arm rigidly connected to and extending from the base. The arm has a mounting face on a base side which is generally parallel to a tangent to the base. A recess extends into at least one end of the base, generally co-axially therewith, for receiving a guidewheel shaft. The pivoting bracket interacts with adjacent articulated door panels to mount the panels to a guide track and allow articulated movement without requiring or modifying a conventional hinge. The arm has a first part proximal the base and a second part distal the base. The second part is securable to an upper articulated door panel. The base extends into a channel provided on a rearward face of a lower articulated panel. The base of the arm pivots and interlocks itself relative to the channel while the door articulates.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to garage type doors and more particularly to sectional or “articulated” doors. Even more particularly this invention relates to privoting brackets for linking adjacent door panels to allow articulation. 
     IN THE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Articulated doors consist of a number of interconnected panels, usually arranged one above another and guided for movement by guidewheels or rollers along a curved track to either side of the panels. In a closed configuration the panels are arranged generally vertically. In an open configuration at least the uppermost panels lie substantially horizontally. 
     The individual panels have traditionally been connected by hinges having a first part attached to one panel, a second part connected to the adjacent panel and a pivot, generally in the form of a hinge pin pivotally connecting the two parts for rotation about the pin axis. The guidewheels are usually carried by separate brackets respective shafts which double as hinge pins for the hinges. Traditional “hardware” in the form of hinges and guidewheel brackets is relatively expensive and heavy. 
     More recently articulated doors have been developed which overcome a hazard associated with the way earlier designs articulate. In earlier designs the panels had substantially planar adjacent edges and the articulation associated with the panels following the curved section of the track would cause the adjoining edges to open and close in a clamshell fashion which could cause grievous injury if one&#39;s fingers were to get captured therebetween. 
     More recent designs provide matched arcuate surfaces which ride one over the other in closely spaced juxtaposition as the panels articulate. Accordingly, the articulation action becomes more of a “wiping” action tending to push fingers out of the space than an opening/closing action tending to pinch. Such is referred to herein as a “pinch resistant” design. 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide a pivoting bracket for connecting adjacent panels of an articulated door which allows for articulated movement yet is simple, easy to manufacture and install, cost effective and devoid of a hinge pin. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide such a pivoting bracket which may be used in conventional and in pinch resistant articulated door designs. 
     It is also an object of the present invention to provide an articulated door having panels adapted for and connected by a novel pivoting bracket arrangement. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A pivoting bracket for connecting adjacent panels of an articulated door. The pivoting bracket has a generally cylindrical base with an arm rigidly connected to and extending from the base. The arm has a mounting face on a base side thereof, the mounting face being generally parallel to a tangent to the base. The pivoting bracket further may have a recess extending into at least one end of the base, generally co-axially therewith for receiving a guidewheel shaft. 
     The base may have a relieved portion generally perpendicular to the mounting face to permit insertion of the base into an open face of a generally C-shaped channel. The arm may have a first part proximal the base and a second part distal the base. The arm may also have a rib extending along the base side of the arm generally parallel to the axis of the generally cylindrical base located between the first and second parts. 
     The mounting face may be on the second part of the arm and at least one ridge may extend along the first part of the arm on the base side thereof. 
     The base may be generally tubular and the pivoting bracket may have a profile which allows for manufacture by extrusion or injection molding. 
     The pivoting bracket may be manufactured from a plastics material. 
     An articulated door is provided which has a plurality of adjacent panels, including a first, a last and at least one intermediate panel. Each of the last and intermediate panels has a leading edge. Each of the first and intermediate panels has a trailing edge. Each leading edge registers with a trailing edge of the adjacent panel. Each of the last and intermediate panels has a channel extending into and running along a rearward face thereof. A plurality of pivoting brackets are provided for linking adjacent of the panels. Each of the pivoting brackets has a generally cylindrical base received in the channel and generally co-axial with a respective axis thereof. Each pivoting bracket has an arm rigidly connected to and extending from the base, the arm having a mounting face on the base side thereof which registers with and is secured to a rearward face of one of the intermediate or first panels adjacent its trailing edge. The mounting face is generally tangential to the base. Each pivoting bracket may further have a recess extending into at least one end of the base. A retainer acts between the channel and the base for retaining the base in the channel at least during relative pivoting of the adjacent panels away from a closed configuration. 
     Each leading edge may have an outwardly facing convex surface which registers with an inwardly facing concave surface of an adjacent trailing edge. In such an embodiment the channel may have an axis generally co-axial with a focal axis of the convex surface. 
     The arm of the pivoting bracket may further comprise a first part proximal the base and adjacent the rearward face of respective of the last and intermediate panels, and a second part distal the base. The mounting face may be on the second part and a rib may extend along the base side of the arm generally parallel to the axis of the generally cylindrical base between the first and second parts. The rib acts as an alignment indicator in mounting the pivoting bracket to respective of the first and intermediate panels to assist in positioning the convex and concave surfaces in a spaced apart relationship. 
     At least one ridge may extend along the first part of the pivoting bracket on the base side thereof to abut against the rearward face of respective of the last and intermediate panels when the articulated door is an enclosed arrangement to maintain a portion of the base side of the first part and a rearward face in a spaced apart relationship. 
     The base of the pivoting bracket may be tubular and the pivoting bracket may be manufactured from a plastics material. 
     The base may have a relieved portion generally perpendicular to the mounting face to allow insertion of the base into the channel. 
     In one embodiment, the channel has a generally C-shaped cross-section and the base has a relieved portion generally perpendicular to the mounting faced permit insertion of the base into an open face of the channel. Inwardly extending opposite edges of the channel act as the retainer by engaging an outer face of the base as the pivoting bracket is rotated to move the relieved portion away from one of the opposite edges. 
     In another embodiment, the channel has a generally rectangular cross-section and the retainer includes a pair of end members disposed entirely within and generally perpendicular to a bottom of the channel for receiving one of the pivoting brackets therebetween. A pin is insertable through the end members into the recess to support the pivoting bracket for rotation about the axis of the channel. 
     In yet another embodiment, the channel has a rectangular cross-section and houses an insert with a circular groove of generally C-shaped cross-section for receiving the base of the pivoting bracket. Inwardly extending opposite edges of the channel act as the retainer by engaging an outer face of the base as the pivoting bracket is rotated to move the relieved portion away from one of the opposite edges. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
     Preferred embodiments of the present invention are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings which illustrate aspects of the invention and in which: 
     FIG. 1 is an end view through a pivoting bracket according to the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a sectional view through a door panel of an articulated door according to one aspect of the present invention; 
     FIG. 3 is a sectional view illustrating a privoting bracket according to the present invention connecting adjacent door panels; 
     FIG. 3A is a perspective view illustrating the lower portion of an articulated door according to one embodiment of the present invention in which the privoting bracket extends the full width of the door; 
     FIG. 4 is a sectional view illustrating a privoting bracket according to the present invention in association with an alternate door panel configuration having a rectangular channel; 
     FIG. 4A is a view similar to FIG. 4 but illustrating an uninsulated door; 
     FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4 but illustrating another arrangement according to the present invention for mounting the privoting bracket; 
     FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating a bracket for retaining a privoting bracket according to one aspect of the present invention; 
     FIG. 7 is a sectional view illustrating a non pinch proof articulated door according to the present invention; 
     FIG. 8 is a rear elevation illustrating part of an articulated door according to the present invention with a full width privoting bracket; 
     FIG. 9 is a rear elevation illustrating part of an articulated door according to the present invention with a segmented privoting bracket; 
     FIG. 10 is a section on line  10 — 10  of FIG. 8; 
     FIG. 10A is a section corresponding to FIG. 10, but illustrating a segmented privoting bracket; 
     FIG. 11 is a section on line  11 — 11  of FIG. 9; 
     FIG. 12 is an end elevation illustrating the relative positions of adjacent door panels and respective privoting brackets disposed about a curved section of track; 
     FIG. 13 is a perspective view corresponding to FIG. 12 but with the track deleted and showing parts of only two panels; 
     FIG. 14 is an end elevation of a door panel according to the present invention illustration an end bracket according to one aspect of the present invention; 
     FIG. 15 is a section of line  15 — 15  of FIG. 14; and, 
     FIG. 16 is a section of line  16 — 16  of FIG.  14 . 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     A pivoting bracket according to the present invention is generally indicated by reference  10  in FIGS. 1,  3 ,  4  and  5 . The pivoting bracket  10  has a generally cylindrical base  12  from which extends an arm  14  which is rigidly connected to the base  12  and may be integral therewith. 
     The arm  14  has a first part  16  proximal the base  12  and a second part  18  distal the base  12 . The arm  14  has a base side  20  facing generally toward the direction of the base, although not directly at the base. 
     At least the second part  18  of the arm  14  has a mounting face  22  which is generally parallel to a tangent  24  to the base  12 . The mounting face abuts against and registers with a door panel as described in more detail below. 
     A rib  26  extends along the base side  20  of the arm  14  between the first part  16  and second part  18 . The rib  26  is generally parallel to the axis  28  of the generally cylindrical base  12 . 
     A pair of ridges  30  are shown to extend along the first part  16  of the arm  14 . The ridges  30 , as described in more detail below, maintain the base side of the first part  16  of the arm  14  in a spaced apart relationship with an adjacent door panel. Two ridges  30  are illustrated. One would probably suffice. More may be used but may be superfluous. Other forms of spacer may be used, such as bumps, and the ridges  30  need not be continuous. An advantage to continuous ridges  30  is that they lend themselves to manufacture by extrusion. 
     The base  12  may include a “relieved” portion  32  to assist in installation of the pivoting bracket  10 . This is discussed in more detail below. The relieved portion is generally perpendicular to the mounting face  22 . As best illustrated in FIG. 3A, the base  12  also includes a recess  36  extending into at least one end thereof for receiving a shaft  38  extending from a guidewheel  40 . 
     A panel for an articulated door according to the present invention is generally indicated by reference  50  in the Figures. The door would typically consist of a number of panels such as panel  50  arranged one above another. Although the panels may all be identical the uppermost or “first” panel wouldn&#39;t require provision to connect to a panel above it. Similarly, the bottom or “last” panel wouldn&#39;t require provision to attach to a panel below it and in fact it may be desirable to have provision for the securement of weatherstripping thereto. Accordingly, the description refers to first, intermediate and last panels with reference  50  identifying intermediate panels, reference  52  indicating features of a first panel and reference  54  indicating features of a last panel. 
     FIG. 3A illustrates an arrangement wherein an intermediate panel  52  is adapted as a last panel  54  by an extruded molding  200  secured to the trailing edge  70  for attachment of weatherstripping (not shown) to the trailing edge  70 . 
     Each last panel  54  and intermediate panel  50  has a leading edge  60 . Each first panel  52  and intermediate panel  50  has a trailing edge  70 . The trailing edge  70  is opposite the leading edge  60  in the case of the intermediate panels  50 . 
     In a preferred embodiment, each leading edge  60  has a forwardly facing convex surface  62 . Each trailing edge  70  has a downwardly facing concave surface  72 . Each convex surface  62  registers with an adjacent concave surface  72  in the preferred embodiment of the invention, which in conjunction with the pivoting bracket  10  provides for pinch resistant panel joint operation. 
     Each last panel  54  and intermediate panel  50  has a channel  80  extending into and running along a rearward face  82  thereof. The channel  80  has an axis  84  which is generally coaxial with a focal axis of the convex surface  62  as indicated by arrow  86 . This geometry, as will become more apparent, allows for the proper alignment of the convex surface  62  and concave surface  72  during articulation. 
     Reference is now made to FIGS. 3,  3 A,  4  and  4 A which illustrate the relative juxtaposition of the pivoting bracket  10 , the trailing edge  70  of an intermediate panel  50  or first panel  52  and the leading edge  60  of an intermediate panel  50  or last panel  54 . The base  12  of the pivoting bracket is received in the channel  80  and is generally coaxial with the axis  84  of the channel  80 . 
     The mounting face  22  on the second part  18  of the arm registers with and is secured by fasteners  90  to the rearward face  82  of the intermediate panel  50  or first panel  52 . A reinforcing strip  92  may be provided adjacent the rearward face  82  in the case of sheet metal doors to provide more secure anchoring for the fasteners  90 . The relieved portion  32  of the base  12  in the FIG. 3 embodiment enables the base  12  to be inserted into the face of the channel  80 , rather than slid along its length. 
     The rib  26  acts as an alignment indicator when the pivoting bracket is mounted to the intermediate panel  50  and the adjacent first, last or intermediate panel  52 ,  54  or  50  respectively. In order to attach the second part of the arm to the rearward face  82  adjacent the trailing edge  70  and have the mounting face  22  flush against the rearward face  82 , the rib  26  must project into a space between the trailing edge  70  and the adjacent leading edge  60 . This requires at least the concave surface  72  and convex surface  62  to be in spaced apart relationship so as not to rub against each other during articulation. 
     The convex surface  62  and concave surface  72  need not be perfectly formed curves as some gap (less than a finger&#39;s thickness) is tolerable. Accordingly, the convex surface  62  and concave surface  72  may actually be a series of bends approximating a curve as illustrated in some of the Figures such as FIGS. 3,  3 A,  4 ,  4 A and  14 . 
     Although the convex surface  62  and concave surface  72  should not rub against each other, a part of the leading edge  60 , illustrated by reference  61  in FIG. 4A may rest against a corresponding part  71  of the trailing edge  70  in a closed configuration so that underlying panels  50  carry at least some of the weight of overlying panels  50  rather than having the pivoting brackets  10  carry all of the weight. 
     The ridges  30  extending from the first part  16  of the arm  14  abut against the rearward face  82  of the intermediate panel  50  or last panel  54  which houses the base  12  when the door is in a closed configuration. This maintains that portion of the base side of the first part  16  on either side of the ridges  32  in a spaced apart relationship relative to the rearward face  82 . The resultant space accommodates dirt which might otherwise interfere with proper closing of the door. 
     The guidewheel shaft  38  of the guidewheel  40  is insertable into the recess  36  of the pivoting bracket  10  thereby obviating the requirement for separate hardware to mount the guidewheels  40 . 
     FIGS. 4,  4 A,  5  and  7  illustrate a generally rectangular continuous channel  80 . In the FIG. 5 embodiment, an insert block  110  is provided to register with the channel  80  and an inner face  114  with a generally C-shaped cross-section to register with the base  12  of the pivoting bracket  10 . 
     In the FIG. 5 embodiment, as in the FIGS. 3 and 3A embodiment, the base  12  is received in an opening having a generally C-shaped profile. Inwardly extending edges  84  of the channel  80  or insert  110  act as a retainer, once the panels begin to articulate, to hold the base  12  in the channel  80 . FIGS. 12 and 13 illustrate how the base  12  is retained and interlocks once the relieved portion  32  rotates into the C-shaped channel  80  as the panels move from a closed configuration and articulate around a curved section of a guide track  140 . 
     FIGS. 4,  4 A,  6  and  11  illustrate the use of a retainer in the form of a retainer bracket  100  to retain the base  12  in a rectangular channel  80 . The retainer bracket  100  may be U shaped as illustrated in FIG. 6 in which case only one would be required for each pivoting bracket  10  or L shaped in which case two would be required. Other arrangements may also work such as providing a block on either side of the pivoting bracket  10  with a hole extending therethrough which registers with the sleeve  36 . The retainer, such as bracket(s)  100  includes a pair of end members  102  secured to the channel  80  and generally perpendicular to a bottom  81  of the channel  80  between which is disposed a pivoting bracket  10 . A pin  104  is insertable through the end members  102  and the sleeve  36  in the base  12  of the pivoting bracket  10  to retain the pivoting bracket  10  in the channel  80  yet permit it to rotate about the axis  84  of the channel  80 . 
     Preferably, the bracket(s)  100  should be disposed in the channel  80 , which is to say that the bracket(s)  100  should not project out of the channel  80  so as to allow the bracket(s)  100  to be installed when the panels are manufactured and the panels stacked without risk of scratching by the bracket(s)  100  of adjacent panels in the stack. 
     The door panels  50 ,  52  and  54  may be constructed from a variety of materials. For example, as illustrated, sheet metal may be used. The panels  50 ,  52  and  54  may be filled with an insulating material such as a urethane foam. When uninsulated sheet metal panels are used, it is preferable to include a reinforcing brace such as illustrated at reference  112  extending between the rear face  82  and a front face  88  of the panels  50 ,  52  or  54  to strengthen the panels. Alternatively, other materials such as wood and extruded plastic may be used for the door panels  50 ,  52  and  54 . 
     In order to provide an enhanced seal, the convex surface  62  may include a groove  120  extending into it for receiving a sealing strip  122  of suitable material such as felt or rubber for abutting against an adjacent concave surface  72 . Similarly, either in conjunction with or as an alternative, a groove  130  may be provided in or adjacent the concave surface  70  for receiving a sealing strip  132 . 
     Although the invention has been illustrated with respect to a pinch resistant door, it will be appreciated that the pivoting bracket  10  could be used with planar edged panels such as the square edged panels illustrated in FIG.  7 . 
     It should be appreciated that the pivoting bracket does not have to be one continuous strip but may instead be segmented. A segmented strip, which is illustrated in FIG. 10A, would not require cutting to fit the door width and may be less cumbersome to handle but may not be as strong or offer as good a weather seal. From an aesthetic standpoint, a full length continuous pivoting bracket  10  is preferred as it presents a very neat appearance as shown in FIGS. 3A,  8  and  13 . 
     To provide additional support and reduce some of the load carried by the pivoting brackets, particularly in applications involving automatic door openers, and even more so with uninsulated doors which tend to be less robust, end brackets such as indicated by reference  150  in FIGS.  14  through  16  may be used. A respective bracket  150  is secured adjacent each end of the first and intermediate panels  50 ,  52  adjacent the trailing edge  70 . 
     Each bracket  150  has a hook  152  which extends across the open face of the adjacent channel  80  with a slot  154  opening toward the channel  80 . The slot registers with the shaft  38  of a guidewheel  40  (not shown) to provide a further link between a corresponding leading edge  60  and trailing edge  70 . The use of a slot  154  (rather than a hole) enables easy replacement of the end bracket  150  after placement of the panels are between the tracks should this be required. 
     The above description is intended in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense. Variants to the exact embodiments described may be apparent to persons skilled in such structures without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the claims set out below.