Overhead closure with tube and hook end lock

A closure locking design is presented that is more resistant to a displacement/dislodgement force. A closure end strip is fixed to a closure end and received by a closure guide first section. A rotatable tube and hook assembly run vertically within a closure guide second section. When rotated to a locking position a hook member of the tube and hook assembly rotates through a slot cut in the guide and through a cutout in the closure end strip to restrictively engage the closure.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to closures and in particular, to a closure with a hook and tube endlock.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Access openings, for example, in warehouse, manufacturing and industrial settings are often secured by overhead (vertically traveling) closures. One popular type of overhead closure is a coiling closure, for example, mesh or slatted doors, such as rolling steel doors. These closure types move in a generally vertical path coiling above the opening as the door is opened. Because overhead coiling closures have many fewer parts than other door types with less risk for damage and inoperability, they often make a better solution for facilities that cannot afford opening downtime.

An overhead coiling closure is generally provided with a powered operator to power the door to an open or closed position, manually opened and closed with, for example, a looped chain or crank, or is hand lifted aided by spring tension. A shaft is horizontally mounted above the access opening to wind or unwind the coiling closure. The coiling shaft and operator (if present) are usually covered by a hood.

Another popular type of overhead closure is a sectional overhead door. Sectional overhead doors are manufactured from horizontally hinged panels that roll into an overhead position on tracks, usually spring-assisted. Each panel of the sectional overhead door has its own connection to the door track. This increases reliability and robustness compared to monolithic doors which have only a couple of track connections for the whole panel.

A sectional overhead door may be provided with a powered operator (motor) operatively connected to a panel to power the door to an open or closed position, or it may be manually opened and closed, for example with a handle.

Both coiling and sectional closures use a pair of tracks or door guides mounted to the structure at opposite sides of the access opening. In addition to providing operative guidance, the guides insure the closure can act as a secure barrier to prevent unauthorized entry when closed.

For many applications the locking capability provided by the operator alone is not sufficient. Consequently it is necessary to provide additional locking to achieve required security.

Closure designs attempt to minimize the chance for catastrophic displacement, either intentional or unintentional, of the door from the door guide, which would allow unwanted or unauthorized entry. For example, when struck, the door will bow and if the displacement force is great enough the door can dislodge from its guide, allowing passage between the door and side wall, thereby no longer providing a secure barrier.

Accordingly, there is a continuing need for improved door protection designs. The present invention fulfills this need and further provides related advantages.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In a preferred embodiment a novel door locking design is presented that is more resistant to a displacement/dislodgement force. When locked, the tube and hook end lock provides increased end retention to keep the closure within the guide upon receiving a displacing force and simultaneously limits motion of the closure in all three axis. It prevents dislodgement of the closure from being lifted upward, laterally (pulling out of the guides), and normal (pushing or pulling the curtain) to the opening.

A closure end is received by a closure guide first section. A rotatable tube and hook assembly run vertically within a closure guide second section. When rotated to a locking position a hook member of the tube and hook assembly rotates though a slot cut in the guide and through a cutout in the closure end to lockingly engage the closure.

An important feature of the design is that the closure end is not thicker than the closure itself. This provides an advantage particularly with coiling closures because it does not add dimension to the coil diameter as the closure is coiled up, therefore making an evenly round coil with no stress points added.

When used with a sectional door an advantage of the tube and hook endlock is that if a lower or upper panel is defeated the hooks will hold the panels above or below the defeated panel in place, making removal of the closure from the door track more difficult, thereby making the door more secure.

Another advantage of the invention when used with all closure types is that it prevents wind loading or other natural forces from dislodging the closure from the guides.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIGS. 1 and 2depict a closed overhead sectional and a closed overhead coiling closure2,4respectively. Both closure types use a pair of door guide assemblies, one guide assembly6fixed to the structure at opposite sides of the closure to operatively receive the closure. An optional operator8, for example, a motor, chain assembly, or spring tension, is operatively attached to the closure to open and close the closure.

While an overhead coiling closure is described below to detail the tube and hook end lock, the end lock is not limited to an overhead coiling door. One skilled in the art can readily visualize that the mechanism as detailed with a coiling overhead closure is easily transferred to a sectional or horizontal closure.

With that in mind, turning toFIGS. 3 and 4, an overhead coiling closure is comprised of a closure material10, for example, a linked or fabric curtain, guide assemblies6mounted to the building structure at each closure side12, a counterbalance assembly14, for example, a shaft or tube22, and an operator8, for example, a tube motor. The counterbalance assembly14and operator8are preferably contained within a covering16, for example, a hood. The closure material10is fixed to a bottom bar assembly18.

The counterbalance assembly14is supported above the access opening and secured at each end by a securing member20, for example, a bracket. The closure material10attaches to the counterbalance assembly14and rolls onto and off of the counterbalance assembly14for example, as the tube22is rotated, optionally by the tube motor8. A closure end25travels within the vertically oriented side guide assemblies6. The closure end25optionally comprises a geometry which is mechanically locked within the guide assemblies6.

Depending on the type of closure material10, each closure end25optionally comprises a closure end strip24fixed to the closure material10. For example, a slatted closure material would not require a separate end strip to accommodate the retentive features described below, whereas, for example, a closure material comprised of linked horizontal rods would require the below described retentive features be incorporated into an end strip. While the description below references an end strip, it should be apparent that the retentive features described could be incorporated directly into the closure material end without an end strip, depending on the closure material.

As depicted inFIGS. 6 and 7, each guide assembly6comprises a wall mounting element26mounted with mounting hardware28to a guide extrusion30. The guide extrusion30comprises a closure guide first section32, a closure guide second section34, and optional guide wear strips36. Guide trim38attaches, preferably removably attaches, to the guide extrusion30.

The closure end strip24travels within the closure guide first section32. A tube and hook assembly40is contained within the closure guide second section34which is covered by the guide trim38, preferably removably covered.

The tube and hook assembly40comprises an elongated member42, for example, a tube or rod, to which is attached at least one hook44. The elongated member42comprises a first end48operatively attached to an actuator50(FIGS. 2-4), for example, a low speed, high torque motor mounted to the securing member20, and a second end52comprising a rotation point54, for example, a ball plunger, optionally spring loaded74, or a ball bearing76(FIGS. 8 and 9). The rotation point54rests on the floor or optionally on a rotation point receiving member80, for example, a steel plate, mounted to a guide assembly6.

If the tube and hook assembly40becomes damaged it is easily repaired or replaced by removing the guide trim38and removing the tube and hook assembly40upward to remove from the guide assembly6. Optionally, to aid in removal, the tube and hook assembly40is segmented, each segment removably fixed to its adjacent segment(s), for example, threadingly fixed and pinned to its adjacent segment(s), so that full height clearance above the guide assembly6is not needed for servicing. Each segment can be disengaged and removed from its adjacent segment(s) as it clears the guide assembly.

In a preferred embodiment the elongated member42comprises a tube having an orifice46with the hook44passing therethrough.

Turning toFIGS. 5-7, the guide assembly6further comprises guide assembly slot56, and closure end strip24further comprises end strip cutout58, both located such that when the closure2,4is closed and tube and hook assembly40is actuated, hook44is passed through the aligned guide assembly slot56and closure end strip cutout58, thereby securing the closure2,4. Preferably closure end strip cutout58is a larger cutout relative to the guide assembly slot56to allow for alignment despite inconsistencies in closure assembly and/or closure material10stretch from usage.

While a single hook44has been described, preferably a plurality of respective hooks44, guide assembly slots56, and closure end strip cutouts58are utilized to provide increased closure displacement resistance.

The closure material10is fixed to a bottom bar assembly18having bottom bar ends72. Turning toFIGS. 4 and 10-14, in one form the bottom bar assembly18comprises a first and second closure material mounted element82,84mounted to a first82and second84side, respectively, of the closure material10. A retaining extension92extends from each end of the closure material mounted elements82,84to slidingly receive and retain a bottom bar86. A tab70extends from each end72of the bottom bar assembly18such that when assembled, the tabs70insert into the guide assembly first section32.

In one embodiment, the first and second closure material mounted elements82,84are a first and second bottom bar angle66,68(FIGS. 11 and 12). Alternatively, in a preferred embodiment, the first and second closure material mounted elements82,84are a first and second curved washer88,90(FIGS. 13 and 14), the curvature acting as the retaining extension92.

Although the present invention has been described in connection with specific examples and embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the present invention is capable of other variations and modifications within its scope. These examples and embodiments are intended as typical of, rather than in any way limiting on, the scope of the present invention as presented in the appended claims.