Patent Abstract:
A sectional wood overhead door used to create access to building interiors in residential and commercial applications. The door includes an inset lateral reinforcing strut, U-bar, brace, or other reinforcing member, with the strut being inset at least partially into the door. No portion of the strut extends out from or above a surface of the door. When the door is installed for use, the inset struts do not extend past the interior surface of the door. In some designs, the inset struts are concealed and are not visible or otherwise discernable by one looking at or otherwise examining the internal surface of the door.

Full Description:
FIELD  
       [0001]     The present invention generally relates to sectional wood overhead doors used to create access to building interiors in residential and commercial applications. More specifically, the present invention relates to sectional wood overhead doors having inset or internal reinforcing members.  
       BACKGROUND  
       [0002]     Sectional overhead doors are frequently used to create access to building interiors in residential and commercial applications. Such doors are commonly referred to as “overhead garage doors”, or merely “garage doors”.  
         [0003]     In today&#39;s society, numerous people are installing custom garage doors, particularly doors that have architectural features, such as sections to provide the appearance of double-swing doors or other old-time architectural structure.  
         [0004]     To provide a more authentic appearing door than possible with steel or fiberglass, some of today&#39;s overhead doors are returning to the original material; that is, they are made from wood. Wood has advantages over steel or fiberglass, by providing a door that can be readily painted or stained or further customized as desired, and by providing a façade that weathers, increasing the old-time authentic appearance. Large wood doors, even though generally solid however, are less strong and stable than steel and fiberglass doors, and have been known to twist or bend under certain uses.  
         [0005]     Door manufactures have increased the lateral and torsional strength of wood doors by providing a reinforcing member along the surface of the wood door, generally on the interior side when the door in installed. These reinforcing members are commonly referred to as struts, U-bars, braces, or the like.  
         [0006]     Although the reinforcing member, such as a strut, is structurally sound and provides the desired increase in strength, the visual appearance of the door is lacking. Improvements are desired.  
       SUMMARY  
       [0007]     The present invention provides a wood garage door, typically solid wood, that incorporates aesthetic features while meeting structural standards. In particular, the present invention generally relates to sectional wood overhead doors used to create access to building interiors in residential and commercial applications. The inventive doors include an inset lateral reinforcing member, with the reinforcing member being inset at least partially into the door. No portion of the reinforcing member extends out from or above a surface of the door.  
         [0008]     When the door is installed for use, the inset reinforcing members do not extend past the interior surface of the door. Preferably, the inset reinforcing members are not visible or otherwise discernable by one looking at or otherwise examining the internal surface of the door.  
         [0009]     Within the application, the term “strut” is used to represent the reinforcing member. The term “strut” is interchangeable with other common terms for reinforcing members such as brace and U-bar.  
         [0010]     In one particular aspect, the invention is to a wood door, such as a garage door, that has a plurality of sections hingedly connected, each of the sections comprising a wooden internal frame having a first side, an opposite second side, a first side edge and an opposite second side edge. A first layer is present over the first side and a second layer is present over the second side, each of the first layer and the second layer covering the internal frame. At least one of the sections has an inset strut extending laterally across the section between the first side edge and the second side edge, with no portion of the inset strut extending above a surface of the first layer. The inset strut could be recessed into the first layer or present between the frame and the first layer. The inset strut could have a T-shape. Additionally or alternately, the inset strut could be composed of two pieces, and those two pieces could be L-shaped. More than one of the sections could include an inset strut; for example, two or more, or three or more sections could include an inset strut. When installed, the first layer forms the interior surface of the door.  
         [0011]     In another particular aspect, the invention is to a section, such as for a garage door, the section having a wooden internal frame having a first side, an opposite second side, a first side edge and an opposite second side edge. A first layer is present over the first side and a second layer is present over the second side, each of the first layer and the second layer covering the internal frame. An inset strut extends laterally across the section between the first side edge and the second side edge, with no portion of the inset strut extending above a surface of the first layer. The inset strut could be recessed into the first layer or present between the frame and the first layer. The inset strut could have a T-shape. Additionally or alternately, the inset strut could be composed of two pieces, and those two pieces could be L-shaped. The section can be combined with additional sections, either having an inset strut or not, to form a door. When installed, the first layer forms the interior surface of the door.  
         [0012]     A more complete appreciation of the present invention and its scope may be obtained from the accompanying drawings that are briefly described below, from the following detailed descriptions of presently preferred embodiments of the invention and from the appended claims. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING  
       [0013]     The invention may be more completely understood in consideration of the following detailed description of various embodiments of the invention in connection with the accompanying drawing, in which:  
         [0014]      FIG. 1  is a schematic, front plan view of a house with a garage having two garage doors installed thereon;  
         [0015]      FIG. 2  is a plan view of the front, exterior side of a garage door according to the present invention, similar to those illustrated in  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0016]      FIG. 3  is a plan view of the back, interior side of a prior art garage door;  
         [0017]      FIG. 4  is a plan view of the back, interior side of the garage door of  FIG. 2 , according to the present invention;  
         [0018]      FIG. 5  is an end view of the garage door of  FIG. 4 ;  
         [0019]      FIG. 6  is an interior elevation of the interior of the garage door according to the present invention;  
         [0020]      FIG. 6A  is one section from the door shown in  FIG. 6 ;  
         [0021]      FIG. 7  is a front plan view of a reinforcing strut for the garage door according to the present invention;  
         [0022]      FIG. 8  is an end plan view of the reinforcing strut of  FIG. 7 ;  
         [0023]      FIG. 9  is a front plan view of a top reinforcing member of the garage door according to the present invention;  
         [0024]      FIG. 10  is an end plan view of the top reinforcing member of  FIG. 9 ; and  
         [0025]      FIG. 11  is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the garage door, taken along line  11 - 11  of  FIG. 6 , showing a reinforcing strut and a top reinforcing member installed in the door. 
     
    
       [0026]     While the invention is amenable to various modifications and alternative forms, specifics thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawing and will be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the intention is not to limit the invention to the particular embodiments described. On the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention.  
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0027]     In the following description of preferred embodiments of the present invention, reference is made to the accompanying drawing that forms a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. It is understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.  
         [0028]     Referring to  FIG. 1 , a typical, residential house  5  is shown having a garage  6  with side-by-side single garage doors  10 , specifically, doors  10 A and  10 B. Although garage  6  is illustrated as attached to house  5 , garage  6  with doors  10 A,  10 B could be a detached garage. Also, although garage  6  is illustrated with two doors  10 , garage  6  could have one door  10 , three doors  10 , or more.  
         [0029]     Referring to  FIG. 2 , garage door  10  is illustrated as seen from the exterior of garage  6 . That is, in  FIG. 2 , the exterior side or surface  12  of door  10  is seen. Door  10  has a first side edge  16 , and opposite side edge  18 , a top edge  17  and a bottom edge  19 .  
         [0030]     Typical sizes for door  10 , if a single garage door, include 8 ft wide by 7 ft high (96 inches×84 inches), 8 ft by 8 ft (96 inches×96 inches), and 9 ft by 8 ft (108 inches×96 inches). Door  10  as wide as 10½ ft (126 inches) is also possible. Double garage doors are also within the scope of this invention. Typical sizes for door  10 , if a double garage door, include 16 ft wide by 7 ft high (192 inches×84 inches), 16 ft wide by 8 ft high (192 inches×by 96 inches), and 18 ft wide by 8 ft high (216 inches×96 inches). It is understood that other sizes, whether single doors, double doors, or special sizes, are possible and within the scope of this invention. The various heights and numbers of the sections that make up door  10  are adjusted to provide the desired door height.  
         [0031]     Door  10  can have an ornamental façade on exterior surface  12 . In this illustrated embodiment of  FIG. 2 , the façade includes twelve raised panels and two windows  20 . Other façades for door  10  are known and are suitable for use with the present invention. For example, other suitable façades include sections with flat panels, three or four windows, and v-groove. See also, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. Des. 378,853, Des. 378,421, Des. 380,053, Des. 382.065, Des. 382,066, Des. 382,067, Des. 383,551, Des. 397,446, Des. 397,447, and 6,446,695, all which are incorporated herein by reference and which disclose various façade configurations that are suitable for door  10 . One popular façade is that of an old fashioned-looking carriage door, such as a double-swing door.  
         [0032]     Door  10  is an overhead door, intended to be supported by and move on side-mounted tracks or rails, as are well known. Door  10  is composed of multiple sections  22 ; particularly, door  10  in  FIG. 2  has bottom section  22 A, an internal section such as second section  22 B, another internal section such as third section  22 C, and fourth or top section  22 D. Top section  22 D includes windows  20  and is a windowed section  22 D; it is understood that having a windowed section is optional.  
         [0033]     Door  10  is a “wood” door, meaning, that the structure of door  10  is composed of wood. In certain embodiments, door  10  is a “solid wood” door, made from dimensional lumber, rather than multiple sheets of plywood or other sheeting that is pieced together. There is no appreciable amount of metal in any of the components that make up sections  22 ; these wood components, along with any metal hardware, are described below.  
         [0034]     A view of the backside, or the interior side, of a prior art door is illustrated in  FIG. 3 . This door  100  has an interior surface  114 , first side edge  116 , second side edge  118 , top edge  117 , and bottom edge  119 , and multiple sections  122 A,  122 B,  122 C,  122 D. Sections  122 A,  122 B,  122 C,  122 D are movably held together by hinges  125 . Present on interior surface  114  are reinforcing struts  142  to increase resistance to flexing from side edge  116  to side edge  118 . Each section  122 A,  122 B,  122 C,  122 D can have any number of struts  142 , although generally one or two struts per section are generally used to provide the desired resistance. Struts  142  are generally fastened to the surface of sections  122 A,  122 B,  122 C,  122 D so that struts  142  extend out and away from interior surface  114 . That is, at least a portion of strut  142 , and typically the entire strut  142 , extends into the interior of the garage or other space to which door  100  provides access.  
         [0035]     Conversely, a view of the backside, or the interior side, of door  10  according to the present invention is illustrated in  FIG. 4 . From this side, interior surface  14 , first side edge  16 , second side edge  18 , top edge  17 , and bottom edge  19  can be readily seen, as can sections  22 A,  22 B,  22 C,  22 D. Sections  22 A,  22 B,  22 C,  22 D are movably held together by hinges  25 . Hinges  25  allow sections  22 A,  22 B,  22 C,  22 D to pivot in relation to one another and allow door  10  to be moveably positioned between open and closed positions, as is typical for overhead garage doors.  
         [0036]     Door  10  includes no reinforcing struts extending into the space to which door  10  provides access, that is, door  10  includes no struts that extend above interior surface  14 . In the preferred embodiment, there is no structure, other than hinges  25  and mounting hardware (e.g., roller brackets), that extends out from surface  14 . A handle, to facilitate manual lifting or raising of door  10 , may be present on interior surface  14 .  FIG. 5  is a side view of door  10 , reinforcing the lack of reinforcing struts on interior surface  14 . Door  10  of the present invention includes reinforcing struts within the interior of sections  22 , the struts being recessed into or flush with interior surface  14 . The internal construction of door  10  can be understood by reference to  FIGS. 6, 6A  and  7 . It is noted that  FIGS. 6 and 6 A are internal views of door  10 ; that is, interior surface  14  of door  10  is not illustrated, rather, the construction behind interior surface  14  is seen.  
         [0037]     Sections  22  of door  10  can be, and preferably are, constructed using a boxed frame assembly, which is a substantially rectangular border surrounding an interior section. Typically, a boxed frame assembly uses a stile and rail construction technique. Referring to  FIG. 6A , section  22 B has frame assembly  30  with rails  32  which extend horizontally and stiles  34  which extend vertically. Specifically, frame assembly  30  has a first rail  32 A at the top of section  22 B and a second rail  32 B at the bottom of section  22 B, and a plurality of stiles  34  extending therebetween specifically, a first stile  34 A (at first side edge  16 ), second side stile  34 B (at second side edge  18 ), and an internal stile  34 C. It should be understood that any or all of sections  22  can have this or a similar boxed frame construction. A first layer of material is positioned over frame assembly  30  to form exterior surface  12  and another layer of material is positioned over the other side of frame assembly  30  to form interior surface  14 , as is described further below. Typically, one layer of material is used to on the inside to form interior surface  14 ; one or more layers of material may be used on the outside of frame assembly  30 .  
         [0038]     The doors of the present invention include an internal or inset strut in at least one of sections  22 . By use of the term “inset”, what is intended is that no portion of the strut extends above the interior surface  14  of door  10 . By use of the term “internal”, what is intended is that the inset strut is not visible on the interior surface  14  of door  10 , rather, an internal strut is concealed within the interior of door  10 . An internal or concealed strut is a type of inset strut.  
         [0039]      FIG. 6  shows an interior of door  10  having an inset strut  40  present in various sections  22 . In particular, section  22 A has inset strut  40 A, section  22 B has inset strut  40 B, and section  22 C has inset strut  40 C. In this embodiment, door  10  does not include an inset strut  40  on section  22 D.  FIG. 6A  shows section  22 B with inset strut  40 B. Strut  40  is also shown in  FIGS. 7, 8  and  11 .  
         [0040]     Strut  40  is a reinforcing member for section  22 , providing torsional resistance to section  22  and to door  10 . Strut  40  also stiffens section  22  and reduces sagging, both when in a vertical orientation (e.g., when door  10  is in a closed orientation) and in a horizontal orientation (e.g., when door  10  is in an open orientation).  
         [0041]     Referring to the embodiment of  FIGS. 6A, 7  and  8 , inset strut  40  is composed of two pieces  40 ′ and  40 ″, each having a first arm  42  and a second arm  44  generally at a right angle to first arm  42 . Pieces  40 ′,  40 ″ can be generally described as L-shaped. The pieces  40 ′,  40 ″ are attached to each other via arms  44 , for example by welding or by structural adhesive. A corner  45 , which is or is close to 90 degrees, is present as a transition between first arm  42  and second arm  44 . The four arms  42 ,  44  provide a T-shape for strut  40 .  
         [0042]     In alternate embodiments, the inset strut may include only one piece, either  40 ′ or  40 ″, but which does preferably have both arms  42 ,  44 ; such a strut would be L-shaped. In yet another embodiment, the inset strut may be formed from a single piece to form a T-shape. Other alternate shapes include U and I shapes, and of course other shapes may be suitable.  
         [0043]     Strut  40  has a length between a first end  46  and an opposite second end  48 , with both arms  42 ,  44  extending the length of strut  40 .  
         [0044]     Typically, first arm  42  is about 0.25 inch to 2 inches long, more typically about 0.5 inch to 1 inch long. Second arm  44  is typically about 0.25 to 3 inches long, more typically about 0.5 to 2 inches long. Arms  42 ,  44  typically have a thickness of 20 to 12 gauge, or thicker or thinner, depending on the material, the shape, and the desired strength.  
         [0045]     In one particular embodiment, strut  40  is 114 inches long from end  46  to end  48 , arm  42  is 0.75 inch long and arm  44  is 1 inch long. Strut  40  is made from 16 gauge galvanized steel. Holes (spaced 1.5 inches apart) are present in arm  42  to accept a fastener, such as a screw, therethrough, to mount strut  40  to stiles  34 . In this embodiment, three holes and fasteners are used for each stile. In an alternate configurations, more or less holes can be used in an configuration.  
         [0046]     Referring to  FIG. 6 , for each of sections  22 A,  22 B,  22 C illustrated having strut  40 A,  40 B,  40 C, respectively, the respective strut  40  is centered height wise in section  22  and extends laterally across at least the majority of the width of section  22 , extending short of first side edge  16  and second side edge  18 , for example, about 3 inches. It is understood that strut  40  could extend to side edge  16  and/or side edge  18 . In  FIG. 6A , strut  40 B extends from stile  34 A, across stile  34 C, to stile  34 B. Specifically, first end  46  of strut  40 B is present on stile  34 A short of first edge  16  and second end  48  of strut  40 B is present on stile  34 B short of second edge  18 . Preferably, at inset strut extends at least 50% of the width of the section, more preferably at least 75%, and most preferably at least 90% of the width of the section. For example, a 114 inch long strut, on a 120 inch wide section, would be 95% of the width.  
         [0047]     The doors of the present invention additionally or alternately include an internal or inset top reinforcing member in the top section, e.g., section  22 D. By use of the term “inset”, what is intended is that no portion of the top reinforcing member extends above the interior surface  14  of door  10 . By use of the term “internal”, what is intended is that the inset top reinforcing member is not visible on the interior surface  14  of door  10 , rather, an internal top reinforcing member is concealed within the interior of door  10 . An internal top reinforcing member is a type of inset top reinforcing member.  
         [0048]      FIGS. 9 and 10  illustrate inset top reinforcing member  50 , as does  FIG. 11 . Inset top reinforcing member  50  is a reinforcing member for the top of door  10 , providing torsional resistance to the top section  22 D and to door  10 . Inset top reinforcing member  50  also stiffens the top section  22 D and reduces bowing and sagging, both when in a vertical orientation (e.g., when door  10  is in a closed orientation) and in a horizontal orientation (e.g., when door  10  is in an open orientation).  
         [0049]     Inset top reinforcing member  50  has a first arm  52  and a second arm  54  generally at a right angle to first arm  52 . A corner  55 , which is or is close to 90 degrees, is present as a transition between first arm  52  and second arm  54 . Top reinforcing member  50  has a length between a first end  56  and an opposite second end  58 .  
         [0050]     Typically, first arm  52  is about 0.5 inch to 4 inches long, more typically about 1 inch to 2 inches long. Second arm  54  is typically about 0.5 to 4 inches long, more typically about 1.5 to 3 inches long. Arms  52 ,  54  are typically 12 to 18 gauge.  
         [0051]     In one particular embodiment, inset top reinforcing member  50  is 120 inches long from end  56  to end  58 , arm  52  is 1.5 inch long and arm  54  is 2 inches long. Inset top reinforcing member  50  is made from 16 gauge galvanized steel. Holes (spaced approximately 20 inches apart) are present in each of arm  52  and arm  54  to accept a fastener, such as a screw, therethrough, to mount inset top reinforcing member  50  to the top rail of a section. Adhesive may additionally or alternatively be used. In an alternate embodiment, some or all of the holes in arms  52 ,  54  are approximately 10 inches apart. Preferably, the holes in arm  52  are offset from the holes in arm  54 . Such an inset top reinforcing member  50  is suitable for use with “blended” doors. In the context of this application, “blended” doors have one layer over the exterior surface of frame assembly  30 , with this one layer optionally being a blend of two materials, e.g., tongue-and-groove framed or surrounded by trim boards.  
         [0052]     In another particular embodiment, inset top reinforcing member  50  is 120 inches long from end  56  to end  58 , arm  52  is 1.5 inch long and arm  54  is 2.375 inches long. Inset top reinforcing member  50  is made from 16 gauge galvanized steel. Holes (spaced approximately 10 and/or 20 inches apart) are present in each of arm  52  and arm  54  to accept a fastener. Preferably, the holes in arm  52  are offset from the holes in arm  54 . Such an inset top reinforcing member  50  is suitable for use with “layered” doors. In the context of this application, “layered” doors have more than one layer over the exterior surface of frame assembly  30 . For example, one layer e.g., tongue-and-groove, may have another layer, e.g., trim boards, partially covering the first layer.  
         [0053]     Referring to  FIG. 6 , inset top reinforcing member  50  is present at the top of section  22 D and extends across the width of section  22 D, extending from first side edge  16  to second side edge  18 . It is understood that inset top reinforcing member  50  could extend short of side edges  16 ,  18 , however, top reinforcing member  50  should extend at least 50% of the width of section  22 D, more preferably 75%, even more preferably 90%, and most preferably 100% of the width.  
         [0054]      FIG. 11  illustrates inset strut  40  mounted in a portion of the door&#39;s wood frame assembly, particularly, in center stile  34 C, and inset top reinforcing member  50  mounted in a portion of the door&#39;s frame assembly, particularly, in a top rail  32 . Stile  34 C and rail  32  include a recessed portion for receiving strut  40  and reinforcing member  50 , respectively. Mechanical fasteners are shown attaching strut  40  and reinforcing member  50  to the wood frame. Adhesive may additionally be used.  
         [0055]     If the surface of stile  34 C and rail  32  were interior surface  12 , inset strut  40  and inset reinforcing member  50  would be flush with interior surface  12 . In this embodiment, however, stile  34 C, rail  32 , strut  40  and reinforcing member  50  would be covered by a material layer that forms interior surface  12 ; thus, strut  40  and reinforcing member  50  are internal strut  40  and internal reinforcing member  50 .  
         [0056]     As defined above, an internal or concealed top reinforcing member is defined as one that is not visible on the interior surface  14  of door  10 . Thus, arm  52  is concealed. It should be understood that arm  42  of top reinforcing member  50  may be visible when one looks down onto the top of section  22 D.  
         [0057]     For a wood door, frame assembly  30 , which includes rails  32  and stiles  34 , are made from wood, although a wood composite material may also be used. Although screws, bolts, nails and other metal fasteners may be used to hold together frame  30 , frame  30  is considered a wood structure. With a wood structure, a cope and stick technique is preferably used to join frame  30  together.  
         [0058]     Generally any wood material is suitable for rails  32  and stiles  34 , although a preferred material is Douglas Fir, Southern Yellow Pine, or other wood having similar or greater strength and density. A suitable size for rails  32  and stiles  34  is common 2×4 or 2×6 dimensioned lumber, although other sizes can be used.  
         [0059]     Frame assembly  30  is preferably constructed using a pocket hole attachment system, which is a well-known attachment construction known in the wood construction arts. A bore is provided angled through the first piece of wood (e.g., stile  34 ) into the second piece of wood (e.g., rail  32 ). The bore is sized and shaped so that the head of a fastener, such as a wood screw, is seated within the first piece, and the fastener extends into the second piece. Preferred fasteners for this application include 2 inch hardened steel screws. An adhesive may be included in the joint between rails  32  and stiles  34 .  
         [0060]     Preferably, present over frame assembly  30  and, inset struts  40 , is at least one layer of material, preferably wood, which forms interior surface  14 . Additionally, at least one layer of material, preferably wood, is present over frame assembly to form exterior side or surface  12 . Often, multiple layers are used to form a decorative surface for surface  12 .  
         [0061]     Examples of suitable wood layers for surfaces  12 ,  14  include solid wood boards, plywood, OSB, chip board, and the like. Suitable thickness for these layers include 3/16 inch, ¼ inch, ⅜ inch, ½ inch, and ⅝ inch.  
         [0062]     As mentioned above, exterior surface  12  preferably includes a decorative façade. This façade may be formed from any combination of layers, such as tongue and groove combined with dimensional boards. Examples of suitable woods for decorative layers include No. 3 Western Cedar, Oak, Cherry, Mahogany, Poplar, Yellow Pine, Redwood, spruce, Fir, Maple, Douglas Fir, Birch, Teak, Hickory, Cyprus, and No.  2  Aspen, Western Pine, Eastern Pine and Ponderosa Pine, and other such wood materials. Suitable thicknesses for decorative layers include any thickness from ⅛ inch to 1 inch. In one particular construction, a decorative layer is ¾ inch thick red cedar plywood and ¾ inch thick cedar face boards are used as decorative trim boards. In another particular construction, a decorative layer is 9/16 inch thick v-groove facing. When trim boards are placed on top of the decorative layer, e.g., cedar plywood or v-groove facing, the resulting section or door is referred to as a “layered” section or door. When trim boards are placed adjacent to (i.e., not on top of) the decorative layer, the resulting section or door is referred to as a “blended” section or door.  
         [0063]     The decorative layers, such as decorative plywood and/or decorative trim boards, can be attached to frame  30  and any other exterior layer by any suitable fastening system, including mechanical fasteners (e.g., nails, screws, staples, etc.), chemical attachment (e.g., adhesives), or any combination.  
         [0064]     An insulation material may be positioned in an interior area of section  22 , within frame  30  between rails  32  and stiles  34 . As example of a suitable insulation material is 1⅜ inch thick polystyrene insulation, either expanded or extruded.  
         [0065]     Inset struts  40  and inset top reinforcing member  50  can be made from any suitable material such as metal, plastic, composites, or even wood or wood composites, but it is preferred that metal (e.g., galvanized steel, stainless steel, steel, iron, or aluminum) forms struts  40  and member  50 . Struts  40  and member  50  can be attached to section  22  by any suitable fastening system, either mechanical or chemical, or a combination. Mechanical attachment systems include screws, nails, bolts, staples, and the like. Chemical attachment systems use adhesive or glue. If an adhesive or glue is used, any metal pieces should be cleaned with a cleaner to remove any oily residues from the surface in order to promote better adhesion. Any or all of struts  40 , top reinforcing member  50 , and mechanical fasteners used to attach struts  40  and/or member  50  can be treated or coated, such as powder coated.  
         [0066]     The various embodiments described above are provided by way of illustration only and should not be construed to limit the invention. For example, doors according to the present invention may include a combination of inset strut(s) and conventional strut(s). Or, doors according to the present invention may include conventional strut(s) with an inset top reinforcing member, or, inset strut(s) with a conventional top reinforcing member. Those skilled in the art will readily recognize additional modifications and changes that may be made to the present invention without following the example embodiments and applications illustrated and described herein, and without departing from the true spirit and scope of the present invention, which is set forth in the following claims.

Technology Classification (CPC): 4