Door sealing mechanism

A sealing mechanism for retaining a roll-up garage door in surface sealing engagement with adjacent door jambs to prevent air leakage around the roll-up door has brackets secured to opposite sides of the roll-up door cooperating with roller holders attached to the door jambs to hold the roll-up door when in its closed position in surface sealing engagement with the door jambs.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a mechanism for holding a door tight against a door frame to inhibit air leaks around the door and to prevent oscillations of the door relative to the door jamb. More specifically, the invention is a door sealing mechanism used with a conventional roll-up garage door to retain the garage door in firm surface sealing engagement with the door jambs located around the garage door.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Conventional roll-up garage doors have a plurality of panels articularly connected with hinges. The door is movable along rails between closed and open positions. The rails mounted on upright frames or door jambs accommodate rollers located on axles joined to the hinges. The rails and rollers retain the door in its closed position adjacent the door jambs. Repeated opening and closing of the door over time moves the track and rollers to positions away from the door jambs creating a space that allows air, dust, water and snow to leak around the door into the enclosed room or garage. Also, warm air in the garage flows out through the space between the door and door jambs to the exterior atmosphere resulting in a loss of heat energy. When the closed door is subjected to air currents due to wind, the door laterally moves relative to the door jambs and rails causing door vibrations and noise. These conditions can be overcome by adjusting the positions of the tracks, the weather stripping or the door jambs. The adjustments are labor intensive, time consuming and expensive.

A seal member for closing the space between a roll-up door and a door frame is disclosed by R. T. Clay and D. J. Whiting, Jr. in U.S. Pat. No. 4,957,301. The seal member includes a first position mounted on the frame and a second portion biased to flexibly engage the outer surface of a panel of the roll-up door. The first position of the seal member contacts a stop on the panel of the door to prevent the second portion of the seal member from becoming crushed against the first portion of the seal member to protect the second portion from damage and allow substantially free vertical movement of the roll-up door.

Latch mechanisms for sealing a door tight to a door frame are disclosed by R. D. Keller in U.S. Pat. No. 7,029,041. This mechanism has a latch arm pivotally secured to a panel of the door and a latch member secured to the door frame in which the door is mounted. The latch arm and member are arranged and constructed so that when the door is in the closed position, the latch arm engages the latch member. The latch arm is then pivoted to a position that exerts force on the latch member to cause the door to contact the door frame thereby retaining the door tight against the door frame.

The objectives and advantages of the door sealing mechanism are incorporated in the following description in conjunction with the accompanying drawing wherein like reference numbers refer to the same or similar parts throughout the several views of the drawing.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The door sealing mechanisms are combined with a conventional roll-up garage door for retaining the door in surface sealing engagement with adjacent door jambs to prevent air leakage around the door to outside atmosphere and the flow of outside air into the garage. The door sealing mechanisms also prevent lateral movements or oscillations of the door relative to the door jambs and tracks thereby eliminating objectionable noise. Each door sealing mechanism has a first member attached to a door panel of a roll-up door and a second member mounted on the door jamb or frame adjacent the first member. The first and second members have cooperating structures that engage each other when the door is in the closed position to retain the door in surface sealing engagement with adjacent door jambs to inhibit air leakage around the door to outside atmospheric and outside air into the garage or interior space adjacent the door. The cooperating structures disengage each other when the door is moved between the closed position to the open position. The first member is a bracket attached to the door in a selected location. The bracket has a top surface which can be convex, flat or inclined. The second member is a holder having a post attached to a door jamb adjacent the bracket. An arm mounted on post supports a roller or lip that engages the top surface of the bracket when the door is closed to retain the door in surface sealing engagement with the adjacent door jamb. The arm is adjustable along the length of the post whereby the holder may be used with different size brackets located in different positions on the door. The bracket can be secured to a door jamb in selected locations. The second member including the post, arm and roller or lip can be attached to the door panel adjacent the bracket secured to the door jamb.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As shown inFIG. 1, a building, such as a garage, has an upright wall10with a doorway11closed with a conventional roll-up door12. Wall10has a horizontal header13extended between left and right side frames or jambs14and16providing doorway11or opening into the building. A flexible seal15secured to jambs14and16contacts the outside surface of door12. Roll-up door12has a plurality of rectangular panels17,18,19and20pivotally connected with hinges21. Panels17-20can be solid wood or metal members. One or more of the panels can include one or more windows. Roll-up door12is a typical overhead garage door that moves along tracks22and23between open and closed positions. As shown inFIG. 3, track22is a C-shaped channel member having an upright section located generally parallel to side jamb14. A plurality of L-shaped brackets24connect track22to side jamb14. Fasteners26, such as bolts and screws, secure bracket24to track22and jamb14. Hinges21have lateral axles or rods27rotatably supporting rollers28that ride on track22as shown inFIG. 3. Track23located on the door jamb16accommodates rollers associates with hinges as described with reference to track22and roller28as shown inFIG. 3. Rollers28associated with each of hinges22and23cooperate with tracks22and23to retain door12adjacent jambs14and16when door12is in the closed position. When door12is moved upward to the open position, rollers28riding on tracks22and23move door12up and away from jambs14and16to allow door12to freely move to an open position. Repeated opening and closing of door12with a conventional electric motor garage door opener (not shown) results in an air space between door12and jambs14and16. This air space allows cold air, water, dust and snow to flow into the interior of the building as well as allowing heated air to escape to outside atmosphere. Tracks22and23and/or jambs14and16must be adjusted to minimize the space between door12and jambs14and16. These adjustments are costly, time consuming and dangerous due to door springs.

Returning toFIG. 1, a plurality of door sealing mechanisms29to34located adjacent opposite sides of door12automatically relocates door12from an unrestrained open position to a position wherein opposite sides of door12are in surface sealing engagement with adjacent jambs14and16. The door sealing mechanisms29to34operate in concert to eliminate air leaks around the side edges and top of door12when in the closed position. Door sealing mechanisms29to34also prevents lateral movements or oscillations of door12due to windy environment conditions. Door sealing mechanisms29to34conserve heat energy, saves money and eliminates noise due to door oscillations. The door sealing mechanisms29to34are substantially identical in structure and function. The following is a description of door sealing mechanism29. The remaining door sealing mechanisms30,31,32,33and34are substantially the same as door sealing mechanism29located in separate positions on opposite sides of door12to retain door12in surface sealing engagement with jambs14and16to prevent air leakage around the door.

Door sealing mechanism29, shown inFIGS. 3 to 7, has a first member comprising an inverted U-shaped member or bracket36secured to door panel17with fasteners37, such as screws. Other types of fasteners including but not limited to bolts and adhesives can be used to attach bracket36to door panel20. Bracket36is a one-piece metal member having flat upright back or side sections38and39joined to a convex curved top section41. The lower ends of side sections38and39are joined to outwardly projected feet or flanges42and43located in surface contact with door panel17. Flanges42and43have holes44and46accommodating fasteners37that retain bracket36on door panel17. Bracket36projects in a generally horizontal direction away from the inside surface of door panel17. The horizontal lengths of the brackets associated with door sealing mechanisms30and31are shorter than the bracket of door sealing assembly29. The bracket of door sealing mechanism31is the shortest bracket. The bracket of door sealing mechanism30is the mid-sized bracket. The tallest bracket is the bracket of door sealing mechanism29.

Door sealing mechanism29has a second member comprising a roller holder47having a generally horizontal cylindrical post48secured with a weld49to a flat base50. A plurality of holes51in base50accommodate fasteners52, such as screws, that secure base50to jamb14. Other types of fasteners, such as bolts and adhesives, can be used to attach base50to jamb14. Post48is parallel to bracket36and extends away from jamb14. As shown inFIG. 7, an elongated arm53has a hole54in one end and a first threaded bore56open to hole54. Post48extended through hole54is secured to arm53with a set screw57threaded into bore56. Post48has a flat upright surface55located in hole54to prevent turning of arm53relative to post48and allowing adjustment of arm53along the length of post48. Set screw57engages flat upright surface55to orient arm53on post48and allows the position of arm53on post48to be adjusted to accommodate different length brackets of the door sealing mechanisms29to34. Arm53has a second threaded bore58accommodating a bolt59. Bolt59has a cylindrical stem61joined to a threaded end62and a head63. A cylindrical roller64has a cylindrical bore66rotatably located on stem61. Roller64is free to rotate on stem61.

In use, as shown inFIG. 1, sealing mechanisms29and32are secured to door jambs14and16and opposite ends of door panel17. Sealing mechanisms30and33are secured to door jambs14and16and opposite ends of door panel18. Sealing mechanisms31and34are secured to door jambs14and16and opposite ends of door panel20. The locations of the sealing mechanisms on the door jambs and door panels can vary to provide an effective surface sealing engagements of the door panels with adjacent door jambs. When door12is moved down to the closed position, the brackets of door sealing mechanisms30and31move past roller holder47of door sealing mechanism29. As shown inFIGS. 4 and 5, when roller holder47is moved in the direction of arrow67, roller64rides on convex top section41of bracket36and rotates in a clockwise direction shown by arrow68until roller64rests on the middle portion of top section41. Roller64applies a force, shown by arrows69, on door panel17that retains door panel17to engage the inside surface71of door jamb14and seal15. The surface71contact between door panel17and jamb14prevents air leakage and eliminates oscillations of door12and resultant noise. The roller holders associated with door sealing mechanisms30and31engage their respective shorter brackets concurrently with the engagement of roller holder47with bracket36when door12is in the closed position. The door sealing mechanisms32to34operate in the same manner as door sealing mechanisms29to31whereby opposite sides of door panels17to20are retained in surface sealing contact with jambs14and16and seal15. When door12is moved upwardly from the closed position, the open position roller64rotates in a counterclockwise direction and out of engagement with the top section41of bracket36. The door panels are released from surface sealing engagement with adjacent door jambs thereby allowing the door12to be moved along tracks22and23to the open position.

Alternative embodiments of the roll-up door sealing mechanisms are shown inFIGS. 8 to 19. Each of these door sealing mechanisms are used with a conventional roll-up garage door to retain the door when in its closed position in a surface sealing engagement with adjacent doorway jambs. The surface sealing engagement of the door with the jambs eliminates the air space around the door thereby inhibiting cold air, water, dust and snow from flowing into the interior of the garage. Also, warm air in the garage does not escape past the door into the outside atmosphere. The door sealing mechanisms further prevent lateral movement or oscillations of the door relative to the door jambs that produce objectionable noise and vibrations.

A second embodiment of the door sealing mechanism129, shown inFIGS. 8 and 9, has a first member or bracket136adapted to be fastened to a panel of roll-up door. Bracket136is a one-piece metal member having an upright section or back138joined to an inclined top section141. Top section141is an inclined generally flat platform located above a base143joined to the bottom of back138. Base143has two elongated openings144and146for fasteners, such as screws, that attach bracket136to a door panel. Openings144and146allow the location of bracket136to be adjusted on the roll-up door.

A second member comprising a roller holder147cooperates with bracket136to retain a roll-up door when in the closed position in surface sealing engagement with adjacent door jambs. Roller holder147has a linear post148secure with a weld149to a flat base150. Holes151in base150accommodate fasteners, such as screws, that secure holder147to a door jamb located laterally of bracket136. An arm153has a transverse hole154open to an axial threaded hole156. The outer end section of post148has a flat section155located in hole154. Set screw157threaded into the end of arm153engages flat section155of post148to prevent rotation of arm153on post148. The post148extended through hole154is secured to post148with set screw157threaded into hole156and engageable with flat section155of post148. The location of arm153on post148is adjustable along the length of post148by releasing set screw157from post148to allow arm152to be moved relative to post148. Set screw157is turned tight against post148to retain arm153in its adjusted position. The outer end of arm153has an axial threaded hole accommodating a bolt159rotatably supporting a roller164. Bolt159has a cylindrical shoulder161, a thread end162and a head163. Roller164has a central cylindrical bore166that rides on cylindrical stem161whereby roller164is free to rotate on shoulder161of bolt159. In use, when the door is moved to the closed position, the inclined platform141of bracket136contacts roller164and moves door into surface sealing engagement with adjacent door jambs. The roller164applies a sealing force to the door which is substantially normal to the plane of the door to reduce vertical forces on the door.

A third embodiment of the door sealing mechanism229, shown inFIGS. 10 and 11, comprises a first member or bracket236cooperating with a second member or holder247to retain a roll-up door in surface sealing engagement with adjacent door jambs. Bracket236is a one-piece metal member having an upright section or back238joined to an upwardly inclined top section241and a base243. Holes244and246in base243accommodate fasteners, such as screws, that secure bracket236to a panel of the door.

The second member is a holder247comprising of a linear post248secured with a weld249to a flat base250. Holes251in base250accommodate fasteners, such as screws, that secure holder247to a door jamb adjacent bracket236. An arm253has a transverse hole254accommodating the outer end section of post248. Arm253has an axial threaded hole256for a set screw257adapted to be turned tight against the flat section255of post248thereby fixing the location of arm253on post248and preventing rotation of arm253or post248. A curved lip or flange258secured to the outer end of arm253engages top section241of bracket236when the door is in the closed position to retain the door in surface sealing engagement with adjacent door jambs.

A fourth embodiment of the door sealing mechanism329, shown inFIGS. 12 and 13, comprises a first member or bracket336cooperating with a second member or roller holder347to retain a roll-up door in surface sealing engagement with adjacent door jambs. Bracket336has an upright section or back338secured to a cylindrical knob341having an outer cylindrical surface. A base343with elongated openings344and346is secured to the bottom of back338. Elongated openings344and346accommodate fasteners, such as screws, that attach bracket336to a panel on a roll-up door.

The second member comprises a roller holder347mounted on a door jamb adjacent bracket336cooperating with bracket336when the door is in the closed position to retain the door in surface sealing engagement with the adjacent door jamb. Roller holder347has the same structure and functions as roller holder47shown inFIGS. 6 and 7incorporated herein by reference with corresponding posts having the prefix3. Post348attached to base350supports a lateral arm353. Set screw357secures arm353in a selected position on post348to locate roller364in contact with cylindrical knob341when the door is in the closed position to retain the door in surface sealing engagement with the adjacent door jamb.

A fifth embodiment of the door sealing mechanism429, shown inFIGS. 14 and 15, comprises a first member436cooperating with a second member or roller holder447to retain a roll-up door in surface sealing engagement with the adjacent door jambs. First member336has a housing438with bottom flanges442and443. Holes444and446in flanges442and443accommodate fasteners, such as screws, that attaches housing438to a panel of a roll-up door. Housing438has an interior chamber partly accommodating a cylindrical member441and a coil spring445as shown inFIG. 15. The upper end of member441engages roller464of roller holder447. Spring445exerts a biasing force on member441to keep the top surface of member441engaged with roller464and retain roll-up door in surface sealing engagement with the adjacent door jamb.

Roller holder447has the same structure and fasteners as roller holder47shown inFIGS. 6 and 7incorporated herein by reference with corresponding parts having the prefix4. Set screw457secures arm453to post448in a selected position on post448to locate roller464in contact with member441when the door is in the closed position to retain the door in surface sealing engagement with the adjacent door jamb.

A sixth embodiment of the door sealing mechanism529, shown inFIGS. 16 and 17, comprises a first member or bracket536cooperating with a second member or roller holder547to retain a roll-up door in surface sealing engagement with the adjacent door jamb. First member536is an inverted U-shaped bracket having side sections538and539joined to a top wall541and bottom flanges542and543. The bracket536is supported on a spacer block or shim545. Flanges542and543and block545have aligned holes546for fasteners, such as screws, adapted to attach the bracket and block545to a panel of the roll-up door. One or more blocks can be used with the bracket to change the effective height of the top wall541of the bracket536. The bracket can be attached directly to the panel of the roll-up door.

Roller holder547has the same structure and functions as roller holder47shown inFIGS. 6 and 7, incorporated herein by reference, with corresponding posts having the prefix5. Set screw557secures arm553to post548in a selected position on post548to locate roller564in contact with top wall541of the bracket when the roll-up door is in the closed position. The roller holder547with the roller564on top wall541of the bracket applies a sealing force on the roll-up door to retain the roll-up door in surface sealing engagement with the adjacent door jamb. The sealing force on the roll-up door is substantially normal to the plane of the closed roll-up door.

A seventh embodiment of the door sealing mechanism629, shown inFIGS. 18 and 19, comprises a first member or bracket636cooperating with a second member or roller holder647to retain a roll-up door in surface sealing engagement with the adjacent door jambs. Bracket636is a one-piece metal member having an upright section or back638joined to an inclined top section641. Top section641is an inclined generally flat platform located above a base643joined to the bottom of back638. Base643has a pair of elongated openings644and646for fasteners, such as screws, that attach bracket636to a panel of the roll-up door. Openings644and646allow the location of bracket636to be adjusted on the roll-up door.

The roller holder647has a flat upright post648joined to a base650having holes651for fasteners, such as screws, that attach roller holder647to a door jamb adjacent bracket636. A lateral arm653is secured to a block662attached with bolts667and668to post648. Post648has a pair of elongated uprights slots669and671for bolts667and668whereby the position of arm653relative to post648can be adjusted. A roller664has a center bore666accommodating the outer end of arm653whereby roller664is rotatably mounted on arm653. Split washers672and673mounted on arm653retain roller664on arm653. As shown inFIG. 18, roller664contacts top section641of bracket636when roll-up door is in the closed position to retain the roll-up door in surface sealing engagement with adjacent door jamb.

Several embodiments have been shown in the drawing and described of the door sealing mechanisms for retaining a door, including a roll-up door, in surface sealing engagement with adjacent door jambs. Changes and modifications of the brackets and roller holders may be made by persons skilled in the art without departing from the inventory as defined by the following claims.