Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02200694 1999-03-08
Lifting folding door
The present invention relates to a lifting folding door
comprising a number of panels hinged together, two primar-
ily vertically extending rails arranged each on one side
of the opening to be closed by the door for guiding the
panels; a number of guide rails arranged next to each
vertically extending rail, said guide rails extending
towards the top of each of the vertically extending rails
for guiding the panels such that, when moving upward, they
are folded together in zigzag fashion in primarily
horizontal direction, said panels comprising first guide
elements for guiding the panels in the vertically exten-
ding rails and a number of second guide elements for
guiding the panels in the guide rails, said number of
second guide elements being equal to the number of guide
rails, said rails being adapted for unequivocally deter-
mining the lateral movement and the rotation of the
panels.
Such a lifting door is known from US-A-3,618,656. This
known folding door comprises two pairs of panels to which
guide rollers, which form the second guide elements, are
pivotally connected, which guide rollers guide the panels
through respective guide tracks, which are formed by chan-
nels. Because of the pivotally connected guide rollers the
door can be raised from its extended position to its
folded position without placing undue stress on the door
operating system.
The goal of the invention is to provide an alternative
lifting folding door which can be opened and closed with
high speed.
CA 02200694 1999-03-08
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This goal is obtained according to the present invention
by means of a lifting folding door comprising a number of
panels hinged together, two primarily vertically
extending rails arranged each on one side of the opening
to be closed by the door for guiding the panels, two sets
of two or more guide rails each set being arranged next
to the upper end of each vertically extending rail, said
guide rails extending towards the top of each of the
vertically extending rails for guiding the panels such
that, when moving upward, they are folded together in
zigzag fashion in a primarily horizontal direction, said
panels comprising first guide elements for guiding the
panels in the vertically extending rails, a number of
second guide elements for guiding the panels in the guide
rails, the total number of second guide elements being
equal to the total number of guide rails, all said rails
being in the form of channels each having a uniform width
for guiding the respective guide element therein and
being designed so that the guide pins can each only
follow a path dictated by the respective guide channel
for gradually deflecting the panels to a horizontal
position, starting from the vertical position, and
operating means for driving at least one of the panels in
a vertical direction, characterized in that the second
guide elements are rigidly attached to the panels.
Per se, second guide elements which are rigidly connected
to panels of a folding door are, for example, known from
AU-B-20968/92. AU-B-20968/92, however, relates to a
lifting door of the type comprising only one guide rail
pair for all second guide elements, i.e. for all panels,
and this guide rail is not adapted for unequivocally
determining the lateral movement and rotation of the
panels. Apart from that, US-A-3,618,656 teaches away
from using rigidly connected second guide elements in the
lifting door type which is the subject of US-A-3,618,656.
CA 02200694 1999-03-08
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In order to prevent that a second guide element follows a
wrong guide rail, the lifting folding door according to
the invention is preferably provided with selection means
for selectively guiding each of the second guide elements
into the corresponding guide rail.
The present invention shall be explained hereafter by
means of the enclosed figures, which show:
Figure 1: a schematic perspective view of a lifting
folding door according to the present invention, in
particular, during its assembly;
Figure 2: a cross section view of the folding door
depicted in Figure 1, in which the rail mounted on one
side and the guiding means arranged above it are shown in
side view;
Figure 3: a cross section along line III-III of
figure 2;
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Figure 4: a view of a second embodiment of a
lifting door, similar to Figure 2;
Figure 5: a perspective detail view of a third
embodiment of the lifting folding door according to the
invention;
Figure 6: a cross-section view of a fourth
embodiment of the invention;
Figure 7: a detailed view of the embodiment
depicted in Figure 6;
Figure 8: a cross section of a fifth embodiment
of the invention;
Figure 9: a cross section of one variant of an
embodiment represented in Figure 4;
Figure 10: a detailed view partially broken
away of the variant shown in Figure 9;
Figure 11: a view of the partially broken away
variant shown in Figure 9 and 10; and
Figure 12: a detailed view of the embodiment
shown in Figure 9;
Figure 13: a detailed view of steps to prevent
skewing;
Figure 14: a variant of the embodiment shown in
Figure 4; and
Figure 15: a variant of the embodiment shown in
Figure 5.
Figure 1 shows a wall 1, in which an opening 2
is made, which must be closed by a lifting folding door
according to the present invention. The lifting folding
door in its entirety is indicated by 3. The lifting
folding door contains two rails 4, 5, each arranged at
one side of the opening 2, while guiding means 6, 7 are
arranged at the top of each of the rails 4, 5 in the form
of plates in which appropriate channels are made. The
lifting folding door further contains panels 8, indicated
by broken lines in Figure 1, which in the opened
condition of the door are folded together between the
guiding means ~, 7, as depicted in Figure 1.
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In order to protect the folded panels, the
guiding means 6, 7 are installed in an assembly unit 9,
likewise indicated by broken lines. This assembly unit is
secured to the wall 1 by means of cheeks 10. Moreover,
Figure 1 shows how such a unit is mounted. This shall be
later clarified in the description.
Next, a first embodiment of the invention shall
be explained more closely by means of Figure 2.
Figure 2 shows the rail 4, as seen form the
opening 2, together with the guide element 6 placed above
it. Arranged in the rail 4 is a track in the foam of a
channel 11. Pins that are connected to the panels 8 are
guided in channel 11.
In this particular embodiment, the door
contains six panels 8, each of which can be folded
together in zigzag fashion, being provided with an outer
hinge 12 on one side, and each being joined to an inner
hinge 13 at the inside. The placement of the inner and
outer hinges 12, 13 is such that, when the door is
folded, the outer hinges remain on the outside of the
door and the inner hinges end up on the inside of the
door. The outer hinges 12 are each joined to a pin, which
is guided by channel 11. Of course, each of the outer
hinges 12 is provided with a corresponding pin at its
other side, which is guided by a rail present at the
outer side of the door opening, in which a corresponding
channel is made.
It is possible, of course, to adapt the
invention to doors with a different, even number of
panels, such as 4, 8, 10 or 12. It is also possible to
adapt the invention to an odd number of panels, such as 5
or 7. In this case, however, rovision must be made for
guiding the next, larger even number of panels.
Moreover, of each pair of panels 8 j oined
together by means of an inner hinge 13, the upper panel 8
provided with a guide pin 18, 19, 20 likewise extends
into the channel 11. During the upward movement of the
panels, the'respective pins 18, 19, 20 must bend in order
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to guarantee a good folding action. Accordingly, the
guiding means 6 designed in the form of a plate are
provided with deflection tracks in the form of channels
15, 16, 17. Now, of course, the danger exists that during
the upward movement the pins connected to the outer
hinges 12 will end up in the deflection channels 15, 16,
17, the guide pins 18, 19, 20 will continue to follow the
main track in the form of the extension of the channel
11, of they will end up in the wrong deflection channel.
Therefore, the channel 11, i.e., the main tracK
is made broad, as are the pins which are fastened to the
outer hinges 12. The deflection channels 15, 16, 17 are
made more narrow, thus preventing the broad pins from
getting into the deflection channels. This is evident in
Figure 3. Also, the deflection channels 15, 16, 17 are
made more narrow than the channel 11. The same applies tp
the pins 18, 19 and 20. The pins 18, 19, 20 are more
narrow than the guide pins that are joined to the outer
hinges 12. Moreover, the deflection channels 15, 16, 17
are deeper than the channel 11 at the location of the
guide means. The channel 11 in the rails 3, 4 is,
naturally, just as deep as channel 17, because the
respective pin must also be guided through this channel.
The differing depth accomplishes an effect such that the
pin 18 is guided in the channel 17 during the upward
movement, as are subsequently the pin 19 in the channel
16 and pin 20 in channel 15, thus accomplishing the
required effect.
It will be clear that, after the deflection of
the track 15, which is the deepest, only the deeper pin
is carried along, because the continuation of channel 11
is less deep than channel 15. A similar situation holds
for the other deflection tracks. Moreover, it is
important to the invention that the deflection of the
deflection channels 15, 16, 17 is gradual, so that even
at high speeds of movement the dynamic deflection forces
are low, and thus the device is suitable for high speeds.
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PCTINL95/00317
In the sample embodiment represented here, the
pins 18, 19, 20 are arranged on the panels 8. It is, of
course, just as possible to fasten the pins to the inner-
most hinges 13. Furthex~nore, it is possible to execute
the device in negative manner. That is, the pins connec-
ted to the inner hinges 12 and the guide pins 18, 19, 20
can be replaced by forklike structures, which are guided
along guideways. Once again, it is possible to work with
differing thickness and/or depths.
In the above embodiment, the pins 18, 19, 20
are always arranged on the uppermost panels of each pair.
It is, of course, equally possible to fasten the pins to
the lowermost panels, or to fasten them to the inner
hinges 13. This also applies to the other embodiments.
Figure 4 shows an embodiment that is especially
suitable for higher speeds; each of the pins always has
its own guideway here. The inner hinges 13 in this
embodiment are each connected to the pins 20, 19, 18,
respectively, and each of the pins travels in a separate
channel 23, 22, 21, respectively, which are shaped so
that the required action is achieved. Once again, it is
important that the deflection of the channels 21, 22, 23
is gradually, so that the speed of movement of the door
can be as high as possible. In Figure 4, the panels form
pairs of different width; it is, of course, possible to
adapt panels with the same width. For the placement of
the guides in Figure 4, the guide pins would have to be
fastened to the panels.
Moreover, in the embodiment represented in
Figure 4, the channels 21, 22 and 23 point outwardly at
their underside, in order to force the panels 8 in their
closed position outwardly against a seal, not shown in
the drawing.
Figure 5 shows an arrangement in which the
selection of the pins occurs by means of "points" or
switches in the form of switch elements. Thus, this
embodiment contains a track in the form of a channel 24;
that is intended exclusively for the guiding of the pins
~
CA 02200694 1997-03-21
WO 96109457 PCTI:~L9~100317
_ 7 _
18, 19, 20, connected to the panels 8, or inner hinges
13. The pins connected to the outer hinges 12 move along
a channel not shown in the present figure. Once again,
there are deflection tracks in the form of deflection
channels 25, 26 and 27, respectively. At the point where
the deflection channel 25 branches off from the main
channel 24, a switch element 28 is arranged. By
maintaining the switch element in the indicated position
the moving pin will follow the main channel, while in the
other position with the deflection element 28, as
represented for the deflection channel 26, the pin will
follow the deflection channel. To operate the layout,.uso
is made of a mechanism comprised of a cam 30, which is
placed in the deflection channel located above the
particular deflection channel, and which is joined to the
deflection unit 28 by means of a lever system 31. In
order to hold the deflection element 28 in its normal
indicated position, there is a spring 32. This means
that, whenever the particular pin travels in a deflection
element, the particular cam is operated, thus moving the
deflection element from the channel located underneath to
the deflection position. Although a rather sudden
deflection is indicated in this sample embodiment, it
should be clear that any other more fluid one could be
produced, consistent with the invention; the sketch only
shows a schematic representation to illustrate the
principle.
In the fourth embodiment, shown in Figure 6,
there is a different kind of selection mechanism. The
channel 11 here is not provided with branches, and there
are no separate guide elements present for the inner
hinges, or guide pins connected to the panels 8 in the
vicinity of the inner hinges 13. Instead, the upper
portion of the channel 11 is provided with enlargements
37, while the upper panel of each pair of panels 8 is
joined to a cam 38 at the outer hinges 12. In other
words, the cam 38 for turning about the hinge 12 is
CA 02200694 1997-03-21
WO 96109457 PCT/?~1,9~100317
_ 8 _ .
rigidly connected to the lower panel 8 of the pair of
panels that the outer hinge 12 is connected to.
Moreover, between every pair of panels 8 there
is placed a draw spring, schematically indicated in the
drawings by the reference number 39.
The particular cam structure is shown in
greater detail in Figure 7. As can be seen, the cam 38 is
provided with rounding 40 at its head end, while the
enlargement 37 is also provided with rounding 41. The
roundings 40 and 41 serve to facilitate the turning of
the cam 38 in the enlargement 37.
Moreover, a lifting mechanism is present in
this embodiment in the form of a cord 42, which is
connected at the lower end to the lower end of the
lowerTnost panel 8, being guided through a guide pulley 43
above the position of the uppermost panel 8 and wound on
a winding drum 44, which is operated by means of an
electric motor 45, for example. It should be clear that
such a lifting mechanism must also be present in the
previously explained embodiments. In place of this, of
course, other lifting mechanisms can be used, e.g., a
circular chain or a hand-operated lifting mechanism. This
applies to all sample embodiments, of course.
In the embodiment depicted in Figure 6,
moreover, the cord 42 is not connected to the hinges.
However, it is possible to guide the cord 42 in zigzag
fashion around the hinges 13 and 12, so that the cord
exerts the respective folding forces. It is then possible
to eliminate the tension springs 39.
During the upward movement of the lower end of
the cord 42, the lower end of the lowermost panel 8 will
be pulled upward, while the other panels, in the present
case 8, will follow along. Because of the fact that the
cams 38 are enclosed in the channel 11, and therefore
they cannot turn, the three lowest pairs of panels cannot
be folded, so that the upper pair of panels 8 is
necessarily folded.
~
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This process continues until the upper pair of
panels is completely folded, and the uppermost cam 38 has
arrived in the uppermost enlargement 37, as represented
in Figure 6. It then becomes possible to fold the next
upper pair of panels 8, which is also the only
possibility, after which the next upper cam 38 ends up in
an enlargement and the following pair of panels is
folded. This process continues, depending on the number
of panels used, of course, until all panels are folded,
and the situation shown in Figure 6 is attained.
In order to encourage the folding action,
tension springs 39 are arranged between each pair of
panels. Of course, it is possible to leave out one pair
of each set of springs 39.
It is possible, of course, to combine the
principle of the broadened cams, adopted in Figure 6 and
7, with the other embodiments. As a result of these
measures, the outside of the panels is prevented from
sagging and becoming skewed in the guides.
It is even possible to employ such a zigzag
guidance of the cord in one of the preceding embodiments.
The embodiment shown in Figure 8 largely
coincides with the embodiment shown in Figure 2. The
embodiment shown in Figure 8 differs in that the channel
11 is provided with enlargements, indicated by 48, at the
place where the deflection channels diverge from the
channel 11. These enlargements have the purpose of making
the deflection of the pins and, thus, the panels more
gradual than that in the former embodiment, discussed b_v
means of Figure 2. In this embodiment, a draw spring 39
is arranged between each pair of panels, in order to
ensure that the pins and, thus, the panels follow the
deflection track and fold together. In order to guide the
pins into the proper tracks under these forces directed
toward the diverging channels, the depth of the
respective channels is reversed; thus, the channel 15 is
the least deep in the embodiment of Figure 8, channel 16
is somewhat'deeper than channel 15, and channel 17 is the
CA 02200694 1997-03-21
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deepest. Of course, the main channel 11 is the most deep,
in order to prevent the pins connected to the outer
hinges 12 from moving into the diverging channels. It is~
also possible, as in the embodiment of Figure 2, to make
these pins thicker.
However, it is also possible to guide the pins
connected to the outer hinges in a separate rail. One
then obtains a configuration agreeing with that of Figure
4, with the understanding that the channels 21, 22 and 23
are consolidated.
The embodiment depicted in Figure 9 agrees in
most respects with the embodiment shown in Figure 4,- but
differs in that the guide pins 18, 19, 20 are provided
with guide wheels 48, 49, 50, respectively. Furthermore,
the guide pins are joined to the panels 8 by means of
arms 51, 52, 53, respectively. The guide wheels ensure a
better guidance in the separate tracks 21, 22, 23,
respectively, so that the movement occurs with less
friction. The guide pins 12 arranged on the outside are
also provided with guide wheels 54. The embodiment
further differs in that an odd number of panels 8 is
employed, and the top side of the uppermost panel is
folded inward.
Resides, it is also possible to locate the
guiding wheels with the other panels on a similar way as
with the single upper panel. The tracks all have then a
shape which is coherent with the shape of track 21.
Figure 10 shows the structure of the panels in
more detail. Each of the panels 8 is formed by a sandwich
structure with an inner wall 55 and an outer wall 56,
between which is filler material 57 in the form of a
plastic foam. At the lower side, the panel is closed by a
profile 58 and, as shown in the drawing, constructed as a
unit with the inner wall by means of, e.g., pop rivets, a
screw connection, or by means of welding or gluing. Each
panel is closed at its upper end by means of a similar
profile 58. Thus, according to one embodiment, it is
possible to form the panels in their entirety by means of
CA 02200694 1997-03-21
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extrusion. However, this is in no way necessa~cy for the
application of the invention. After the extrusion, of
course, the panels must be filled with foam. For a good
closure between the panels when the door is closed, use
is made of a rubber profile 59 that is provided with a
protuberance 60 which is exactly fitted to each of the
profiles 58. For this purpose, the profiles 58 are
provided with an indentation 61. Thus, it is also
possible to employ the profile 59 in the other way.
Again, the profile 59 can be joined to one of the
profiles 58 by means of vulcanization or gluing, for
example. Thus, a good seal is achieved in the closed
condition.
For joining together the panels, use is made of
hinges 62, the leaves of which are joined by means of
screws 63 to the profiles 58. The profile 59 is partly
cut away at the hinges. This ensures that no additional
space is needed for the hinges, while a good seal is
achieved by keeping part of one edge 64 of the closing
profile.
The arrangement according to the above
embodiment is shown from the exterior in Figure 11. It
follows from this that an even number of panels is
employed in this embodiment, but it is constructed such
that the upper end of the uppermost panel folds inward,
as does the lower end of the lowermost panel. For this,
an extra guide rail 65 is mounted, extending entirely
downward. All of this is shown in detail in Figure 12. It
is noted that the depicted embodiment is fit for an odd
number of panels. Therefore, the upper panel comprises an
extra guide pin 51 which is guided in guide element 21.
This offers further the possibility to give the ~~pper
panel a more limited heigth. Moreover, an extra arm 66
with an extra guide pin 67 on it is installed, of course.
According to an embodiment not represented on
the drawing, the guide wheels 48, 49, 50 are replaced by
balls. This has the advantage that they can turn in any
direction, so that the friction against both the sides
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and the bottom of the rail is as little as possible. Of
course, it is difficult to mount a ball. It is also
possible in theory to employ a V-shaped rail, in which
the ball makes constant contact at two points. This
simplifies the bearing problem of the ball.
Figure 13 shows a detailed view of a device for
preventing skewing of the panels of the lifting folding
door. This arrangement is formed by an artn 68, which is
connected by means of a hinge 69 to one of the panels 8.
Fastened to the arm is a bushing 70, in which a pin 71 is
springloaded in the axial direction. The pin 71 is
connected to a fork 72, through the outer ends of which
an axle 73 is arranged, on which a wheel 74 is mounted.
The wheel 74 turns against the head wall of one of the
channels 21, 22, or 23, or in the main channel 11 itself.
It is possible to provide each of the panels 8 with such
an arrangement at each of their corners. However, it is
also possible and, given the interconnection of the
panels, presumably only necessary to place two of such
arrangements on each of the panels. It is also possible
to connect the arm 68 rigidly to the panel 8, or to
combine it with one of the arms 51, 52 or 53.
It should be noted that the balls in the
previous paragraph fulfill the very same function.
Moreover, Figure 14 shows a different variant,
in which, in order to prevent the outside of the elements
from moving downward during the folding of the elements,
supports are arranged in the form of U-shaped elements
75. In these elements 75, a cavity 76 is made, being
outwardly rounded at its lower end. To engage with the
cavities, at the top end of each odd element (counting
from the top) a pin 77 is arranged, which engages with
the cavity and basically prevents the front of the panels
from moving downward. Moreover, they fulfill a certain
guiding function. Of course, suitable recesses are made
at the pins 77 in the panels located above them.
In this embodiment, the action is improved by
creating a certain clamping action of the pins 77 in the
_ CA 02200694 1997-03-21
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P CTI,~'L95I0 0317
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cavity 76. This is accomplished, for example, by lining
the cavity 76 with material having a large coefficient o~
friction, for example, rubber. Moreover, it is important
that the pins 77 and the elements 75 of each of the
panels are placed at different distances from the edges
of the door opening, in order to prevent the pins of
different distances from the edges of the door opening,
in order to prevent the pins of different panels being
hindered by the elements 75 of pins belonging to other
panels. .
In the situation that the number of panels is
even, and the upper panel is shorter than the remaining
panels, the free end of the upper panel cannot be fixed
by the cams. Therefore, a specific guide track can be
provided in the guide means, in which guide pins attached
to the relevant panel are guided.
In the variant shown in Figure 15, a shoe 78 is
arranged in the upper part 24 of the channel, acting as a
closing element or movable switch. The shoe 78 is
adjustable in height and provides connections to
different deflection tracks at different positions.
It should be clear that many other different
selection mechanisms are possible; thus, for example, it
is possible to electronically control the deflection
elements 28, 29 of the embodiment depicted in Figure 5.
This has the advantage that the same guide rail 24 can be
used for guiding of the pins arranged on the outer
hinges. However, it is still important that the
deflection tracks diverge gradually, in order to achieve
the best possible action. It should be mentioned here
that the selection mechanism also has a positioning
function.
It is also possible to separate the selection
function of the selection means from their guide
function. Thus, for example, it is possible to employ
steering wheels, which control the guide means in the
form of pins so, that they select the proper deflection
track.
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In the embodiment described above, we have
hardly mentioned the actuation; actuation is possible by
means of cables that are fastened, e.g., to the lowermost
panel. In this case, a cable is fastened to the panel on
either side of the closed opening. However, it is also
possible to employ, for example, four cables, which are
fastened in pairs to the lowerTnost panel on each side of
the opening being closed; one cable of each pair is then
fastened to the outside of the panel and the other cable
to the inside of the panel. The cables are then connected
to the panels situated above. This fastening is such that
the cables extending on the inside are fastened to the
hinges which must fold inwardly, and the cables extending
on the outside are connected to the hinges which must
fold outwardly. Thus, these cables also form a selection
mechanism. The cables can each be wound on a single drum
or on a pair of drums located at one side of the door.
One of the cables should then be guided over the aperture
of the door. This obviates the need for a through going
2 0 shaf t .
Finally, again making use of Figure 1, we shall
discuss the assembly of the lifting folding door
according to the present invention. For this, an assembly
unit 9 is brought up, fox example, on a truck 35, which
is provided with a platform 36 that can rise and turn.
The aforesaid assembly unit 9 is placed on this platform
36, whereupon the truck 35 is driven into the opening
which is to be closed, the platform 36 is moved upward
and turned until the assembly unit 9 located on it has
reached the correct position, and this is secured in
place by means of the cheeks 10 and a suitable fastening
material. Next, the rails 4, 5 which are brought up
separately, are put in place and fastened, after which,
after affixing the various operating elements, the
connection of the power supply, and so forth, the unit
can be placed in operation. After this, the truck 35 can
be taken away..
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Instead of a liftable platform, it is possible
for instance to make use of a fork-lift truck. Of~course,
it is possible to use other lifting or hoisting
mechanisms, for instance a hoisting crane. Then means
will have to be provided to couple the mounting unit to
the hoisting crane, for instance by means of a levelling
rod.
It should be clear that this allows an
especially convenient and attractive fastening, since the
heavy elements are punt in place by means of the rising
platform.
