ENSEMBLE DE PORTE BASCULANTE ET CADRE

OVERHEAD DOOR AND FRAME ASSEMBLY

Abrégé français

Un ensemble de cadre supportant une porte basculante comporte un collecteur horizontal relié à des colonnes verticales ou à des montants avec des ensembles d'épissure. Des éléments de fixation montés sur les colonnes coopèrent avec des dispositifs de retenue sur les ensembles d'épissure pour positionner et relier les colonnes à l'en-tête. Des charnières permettent de monter de manière pivotante la porte sur l'en-tête afin de permettre un mouvement entre les positions ouverte et fermée. Les actionneurs linéaires raccordés à lassemblage de cadre et à la porte permettent de bouger la porte entre les positions ouverte et fermée.

Abrégé anglais

A frame assembly supporting an overhead door has a horizontal header connected to upright columns or posts with splice assemblies. Fasteners mounted on the columns cooperate with retainers on the splice assemblies to position and connect the columns to the header. Hinges pivotally mount the door on the header for movement between open and closed positions. Linear actuators connected to the frame assembly and door are operable to move the door between its open and closed positions.

Revendications

What is claimed is:
1. A combined door and frame assembly comprising:
a door including a door frame having a top horizontal member and upright
members secured to the top horizontal member,
a frame assembly for supporting the door for movement between open and
closed positions,
said frame assembly including:
a horizontal header, said header having opposite first and second ends,
first and second upright columns having upper tubular ends located
adjacent the opposite first and second ends of the header,
a first splice assembly secured to the first end of the header, said first
splice assembly being located in telescope relationship with the upper tubular
end of the
first upright column,
first fasteners securing the first splice assembly to the upper tubular end of
the first upright column,
a second splice assembly secured to the second end of the header, said
second splice being located in telescope relationship with the upper tubular
end of the
second upright column,
second fasteners securing the second splice assembly to the upper tubular
of the second upright column,
a plurality of hinges supporting and pivotally connecting the door frame to
the header for pivotal movement of the door between the open and closed
positions,
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each of said hinges having a first horizontal member secured to the header
of the frame assembly,
a second horizontal member secured to the top horizontal member of the
door frame,
supports secured to the first horizontal member,
arms secured to the second horizontal member,
each of said arms being located adjacent a support,
a tubular sleeve mounted on adjacent arms, and
a pin extended through the supports, aims and tubular sleeve to pivotally
support the door frame on the header to allow the door to move between its
open and
closed positions,
a block secured to the pin,
a stop secured to one of the supports engageable with the block to prevent
rotation of the pin relative to the supports, the arms and the tubular sleeve,
and
linear actuators operatively connected to the first and second upright
columns and door frame operable to move the door relative to the frame
assembly
between its open and closed positions.
2. The combined door and frame assembly of Claim 1 wherein:
the first and second splice assemblies each include
an upright body having opposite side walls;
each of the first and second fasteners including
at least one nut secured to a side wall of the body, and
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a threaded bolt cooperating with the nut securing the body to an upright
column.
3. The combined door and frame assembly of claim 1 wherein:
the first and second splice assemblies each include
a flat upright body having opposite upright side walls,
a pair of upright ribs secured to one of the upright side walls,
each of the first and second fasteners including
a plurality of nuts secured to a side wall of the body, said nuts being
vertically spaced on the side wall of the body, and
a plurality of threaded bolts cooperating with the plurality of nuts securing
the body and upright ribs to an upright column.
4. The combined door and frame assembly of Claim 1 wherein:
the first and second splice assemblies include
an upright body having a wall and a first edge and a second edge on
opposite sides of the body, said first and second edges being perpendicular to
said wall of
the body,
ribs secured to the wall,
a plurality of first retainers attached to the wall of the body adjacent the
ribs,
a plurality of first fasteners engageable with the column cooperating with
the first retainers to connect the header member to the column,
a plurality of second retainers secured to the column,
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a plurality of second fasteners having ends engageable with the first edge
of the body and cooperating with the second retainers to hold the second edge
of the body
in engagement with the column concurrently with the engagement of the ribs
with the
column.
5. The combined door and frame assembly of Claim 4 wherein:
the plurality of first retainers are nuts having threaded openings, said nuts
being secured to said body adjacent to said ribs, and
said first fasteners comprise bolts extend through holes in the column and
threaded into the threaded openings of the nuts whereby the bolts cooperate
with the nuts
to hold the ribs in engagement with column and connected the header to the
column.
6. The combined door and frame assembly of Claim 4 wherein:
the plurality of second retainers are nuts having threaded openings, and
said second fasteners comprise bolts threaded into the threaded opening of
the nuts, said bolts having said ends engageable with the first edge of the
body.
7. The combined door and frame assembly of Claim 1 wherein:
the hinges include a first hinge having members secured to the upright
members of the door frame.
8. The combined door and frame assembly of Claim 1 wherein:
the plurality of hinges include hinges located in alignment with the upright
members of the door frame.
9. The combined door and frame assembly of Claim 1 including
a mount secured to the door and one of the linear actuators,
said mount including
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a plate secured to the upright members of the door frame,
said plate having a first side, a second side and plurality of horizontal
slots
extending through the plate,
a flat member located adjacent a first side of the plate attached to the
linear actuator,
a bar located adjacent the second side of the plate, and
fasteners extending through the slots connecting the first and second plates
and clamping the first and second plates in a selected location on the plate.
10. A combined door and frame assembly comprising:
a door including a door frame having a top member and upright members
secured to the top members,
a frame assembly for supporting the door for movement between an
upright closed position and a horizontal open position,
said frame assembly including:
a horizontal header having opposite first and second ends,
a first upright column having an upper end secured to the first end of the
header,
a second upright column having an upper end secured to the second end of
the header,
a plurality of hinges supporting and pivotally connecting the door frame to
the header for pivotal movement of the door between said closed and open
positions,
each of said hinges having a first horizontal member secured to the header
of the frame assembly,
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a second horizontal member secured to the top horizontal member of the
door frame,
supports secured to the first horizontal member,
arms secured to the second horizontal member,
each of said arms being located adjacent a support, a tubular sleeve
mounted on adjacent arms,
a pin extended through the supports, arms and tubular sleeve to pivotally
support the door frame on the header to allow the door to move between its
open and
closed positions,
a block secured to the pin,
a stop secured to one of the supports engageable with the block to prevent
rotation of the pin relative to the supports, the arms and the tubular sleeve,
and
linear actuator operatively connected to the first and second upright
columns and door frame operable to move the door relative to the frame
assembly
between the closed and open positions.
11. The combined door and frame assembly of Claim 10 wherein:
the hinges include a first hinge having members secured to the upright
members of the door frame.
12. The combined door and frame assembly of Claim 10 wherein:
the plurality of hinges include hinges located in alignment with the upright
members of the door frame.
13. The combined door and frame assembly of Claim 10 including
a mount secured to the door and one of the linear actuators,
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said mount including
a plate secured to the upright members of the door frame,
said plate having a first side, a second side and plurality of horizontal
slots
extending through the plate,
a flat member located adjacent a first side of the plate attached to the
linear actuator,
a bar located adjacent the second side of the plate, and
fasteners extending through the slots connecting the flat member and the
bar and clamping the flat member and the bar in a selected location on the
plate.
14. The combined door and frame assembly of Claim 10 including:
a block secured to the pin, and
a stop secured to a support engageable with the block to prevent rotation
of the pin relative to the supports, arms and tubular sleeve.
15. A combined door and frame assembly comprising:
a door including a door frame having a top horizontal member, first
upright members secured to the horizontal member and second upright members
secured
to the horizontal member,
a frame assembly for supporting the door for pivotal movement between a
door open position and a door closed position,
said frame assembly including a horizontal header, a first upright column
and a second upright column, said header having a first end and a second end
opposite
the first end,
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the first upright column having an upper tubular end located adjacent the
first end of the header,
the second upright column having an upper tubular end located adjacent
the second end of the header,
a first splice assembly secured to the first end of the header, said first
splice assembly being located in telescope relationship with the upper tubular
end of the
first upright column,
the first splice assembly includes a flat upright first body having an
upright first wall,
the upright first body having a first edge and a second edge on opposite
sides of the first body, said first and second edges being perpendicular to
said upright first
wall of the upright first body,
a first adjustable fastener operatively connected to the first upright column
and engageable with the first edge of the upright first body to hold the
second edge of the
upright first body in engagement with the first upright column,
a first pair of upright ribs secured to the upright first wall of the upright
first body,
the first pair of upright ribs having outer ends spaced away from the
upright first wall of the upright first body,
first fasteners securing the first splice assembly to the upper tubular end of
the first upright column,
Date recue/Date received 2023-04-06

the first fasteners being operatively connected to the upright first body and
the first upright column to hold the outer ends of the first pair of upright
ribs in
engagement with the first upright column,
a second splice assembly secured to the second end of the header, said
second splice assembly being located in telescope relationship with the upper
tubular end
of the second upright column,
the second splice assembly includes a flat upright second body having an
upright second wall,
a second pair of upright ribs secured to the upright second wall,
the second pair of upright ribs having outer ends spaced from the upright
second wall,
second fasteners securing the second splice assembly to the upper tubular
end of the second upright column,
the second fasteners being operatively connected to the upright second
body and the second upright column to hold the outer ends of the second pair
of upright
ribs in engagement with the second upright column,
the upright second body having a third edge and a fourth edge opposite the
third edge, said third and fourth edges being perpendicular to said upright
second wall of
the upright second body,
a second adjustable fastener operatively connected to the second upright
column and engageable with the third edge of the upright second body to hold
the fourth
edge of the upright second body in engagement with the second upright column,
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a plurality of hinges supporting and pivotally connecting the door frame to
the header for pivotal movement of the door between the door open position and
the door
closed position,
at least one of said hinges includes a horizontal hinge member secured to
the header of the frame assembly,
supports secured to the horizontal hinge member,
arms secured to one of the first and second upright members of the door
frame,
a tubular sleeve secured to the arms, and
a pin extended through the supports, the aims and the tubular sleeve to
pivotally support the door frame on the header to allow the door to move
between the
door open position and the door closed position,
a first linear actuator operatively connected to the first upright column and
the door frame, and
a second linear actuator operatively connected to the second upright
column and the door frame,
the first and second linear actuators being operable to move the door
relative to the frame assembly between the door open position and the door
closed
position.
16. The combined door and frame assembly of Claim 15 wherein:
the first fasteners include
first nuts secured to the upright first body, and
threaded first bolts cooperating with the first nuts,
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the second fasteners include
second nuts secured to the upright second body, and
threaded second bolts cooperating with the second nuts.
17. The combined door and frame assembly of Claim 15 wherein:
the first upright members of the door frame include a pair of first upright
members,
the second upright members of the door frame include a pair of second
upright members,
the arms include a plurality of vertical first arms and a plurality of
vertical
second arms,
the plurality of hinges include a first hinge located adjacent to the first
splice assembly and secured to the pair of first upright members of the door
frame,
the plurality of hinges including a second hinge located adjacent to the
second splice assembly and secured to the pair of second upright members of
the door
fram e.
18. The combined door and frame assembly of Claim 15 including:
a mount secured to the door frame and the first linear actuator,
said mount including
a plate secured to the first upright members of the door frame,
said plate having a first side, a second side and a plurality of horizontal
slots extending through the plate,
a flat member located in contact with the first side of the plate,
the first linear actuator being operatively connected to the flat member,
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a bar located in contact with the second side of the plate, and
fasteners extending through the slots in the plate for connecting the flat
member and the bar and clamping the flat member and the bar on the plate.
19. The combined door and frame assembly of Claim 15 including:
a block secured to the pin, and
a stop secured to one of the supports, said stop being engageable with the
block to prevent rotation of the pin relative to the arms and the tubular
sleeve.
20. The combined door and frame assembly of Claim 15 wherein:
the plurality of hinges comprise a first hinge located in vertical alignment
with the first upright members and a second hinged located in vertical
alignment with the
second upright members.
21. The combined door and frame assembly of Claim 15 including:
a member joined to the pin, and
a stop on one of the supports, said stop being engageable with the member
joined to the pin to prevent rotation of the pin relative to the arms and the
tubular sleeve.
22. The combined door and frame assembly of Claim 15 including:
a first mount secured to the door frame and the first linear actuator,
a second mount secured to the door frame and the second linear actuator,
the first mount includes a first plate secured to the first upright members
of the door frame,
a first flat member located adjacent the first plate,
the first linear actuator being operatively connected to the first flat
member, and
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a first fastener connecting the first flat member to the first plate in a
selected location on the first plate,
the second mount includes a second plate secured to the second upright
members of the door frame,
a second flat member located adjacent the second plate,
the second linear actuator being operatively connected to the second flat
member, and
second fasteners connecting the second flat member to the second plate in
a selected location on the second plate.
23. The combined door and frame assembly of Claim 15 including:
a first mount secured to the door frame and the first linear actuator,
a second mount secured to the door frame and the second linear actuator,
the first mount includes a first plate secured to the first upright members
of the door frame,
a plurality of horizontal slots extended through the first plate,
a first flat member located adjacent the first plate,
the first linear actuator being operatively connected to the first flat
member, and
first fasteners extending through the horizontal slots in the first plate for
connecting the first flat member to the first plate in a selected location on
the first plate,
the second mount including a second plate secured to the second upright
members of the door frame,
a second plate secured to the second upright members of the door frame,
Date recue/Date received 2023-04-06

a plurality of horizontal slots extended through the second plate,
a second flat member located adjacent the second plate,
the second linear actuator being operatively connected to the second flat
member, and
second fasteners extended through the horizontal slots in the second plate
for connecting the second flat member to the second plate in a selected
location on the
second plate.
24. A combined door and frame assembly comprising:
a door including a door frame having a horizontal member, first upright
members secured to the horizontal member and second upright members secured to
the
horizontal member,
a frame assembly for supporting the door for pivotal movement between a
door open position and a door closed position,
said frame assembly including a horizontal header, a first upright column
and a second upright column,
said header having a first end and a second end opposite the first end,
the first upright column having an upper end located adjacent the first end
of the header,
the second upright column having an upper end located adjacent the
second end of the header,
a first splice assembly secured to the first end of the header,
the first splice assembly includes an upright first body,
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the upright first body having a first edge and a second edge on opposite
sides of the upright first body,
a first adjustable fastener operatively connected to the first upright column
and engageable with the first edge of the upright first body to hold the
second edge of the
upright first body in engagement with the first upright column,
first upright ribs secured to the upright first body,
the first upright ribs having outer ends spaced away from the upright first
body,
first fasteners securing the first splice assembly to the upper end of the
first upright column,
the first fasteners being operatively connected to the upright first body and
the first upright column to hold the outer ends of the first upright ribs in
engagement with
the first upright column,
a second splice assembly secured to the second end of the header,
the second splice assembly includes an upright second body,
second upright ribs secured to the upright second body,
the second upright ribs having outer ends spaced from the upright second
body,
second fasteners securing the second splice assembly to the upper end of
the second upright column,
the second fasteners being operatively connected to the upright second
body and the second upright column to hold the outer ends of the second
upright ribs in
engagement with the second upright column,
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the upright second body having a third edge and a fourth edge opposite the
third edge,
a second adjustable fastener operatively connected to the second upright
column and engageable with the third edge of the upright second body to hold
the fourth
edge of the upright second body in engagement with the second upright column,
a plurality of hinges supporting and pivotally connecting the door frame to
the header for pivotal movement of the door between the door open position and
the door
closed position,
at least one of said hinges includes a horizontal hinge member secured to
the header of the frame assembly,
supports secured to the horizontal hinge member,
arms secured to one of the first and second upright members of the door
frame,
a tubular sleeve secured to the arms, and
a pin extended through the supports, the arms and the tubular sleeve to
pivotally support the door frame on the header to allow the door to move
between the
door open position and the door closed position,
a first linear actuator operatively connected to the first upright column and
the door frame, and
a second linear actuator operatively connected to the second upright
column and the door frame,
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the first and second linear actuators being operable to move the door
relative to the frame assembly between the door open position and the door
closed
position.
25. The combined door and frame assembly of Claim 24 wherein:
the first upright members of the door frame include a pair of first upright
members,
the second upright members of the door frame include a pair of second
upright members,
the arms include a plurality of first arms and a plurality of second arms,
the plurality of hinges include a first hinge located adjacent to the first
splice assembly and secured to the pair of first upright members of the door
frame,
the plurality of hinges include a second hinge located adjacent to the
second splice assembly and secured to the pair of second upright members of
the door
frame.
26. The combined door and frame assembly of Claim 24 including:
a mount secured to the door frame and the first linear actuator,
said mount including a plate secured to the first upright members of the
door frame,
said plate having a first side, a second side and plurality of horizontal
slots
extending through the plate,
a flat member located in contact with the first side of the plate,
the first linear actuator being operatively connected to the flat member,
a bar located in contact with the second side of the plate, and
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fasteners extending through the horizontal slots in the plate for connecting
the flat member and the bar and clamping the flat member and the bar on the
plate.
27. The combined door and frame assembly of Claim 24 including:
a block secured to the pin, and
a stop secured to one of the supports, said stop being engageable with the
block to prevent rotation of the pin relative to the arms and the tubular
sleeve.
28. The combined door and frame assembly of Claim 24 wherein:
the plurality of hinges comprise a first hinge located in vertical alignment
with the first upright members and a second hinge located in vertical
alignment with the
second upright members.
29. The combined door and frame assembly of Claim 24 wherein:
a member joined to the pin, and
a stop on one of the supports, said stop being engageable with the member
joined to the pin to prevent rotation of the pin relative to the amis and the
tubular sleeve.
30. The combined door and frame assembly of Claim 24 wherein:
a first mount secured to the door frame and the first linear actuator,
a second mount secured to the door frame and the second linear actuator,
the first mount includes a first plate secured to the first upright members
of the door frame, and
a first flat member located adjacent the first plate,
the first linear actuator being operatively connected to the first flat
member, and
Date recue/Date received 2023-04-06

a first fastener connecting the first flat member to the first plate in a
selected location on the first plate,
the second mount includes a second plate secured to the second upright
members of the door frame,
a second flat member located adjacent the second plate,
the second linear actuator being operatively connected to the second flat
member, and
second fasteners connecting the second flat member to the second plate in
a selected location on the second plate.
31. The combined door and frame assembly of Claim 24 including:
a first mount secured to the door frame and the first linear actuator,
a second mount secured to the door frame and the second linear actuator,
the first mount includes a first plate secured to the first upright members
of the door frame,
a plurality of horizontal slots extending through the first plate,
a first flat member located adjacent the first plate,
the first linear actuator being operatively connected to the first flat
member, and
first fasteners extended through the horizontal slots in the first plate for
connecting the first flat member to the first plate in a selected location on
the first plate,
the second mount including a second plate secured to the second upright
members of the door frame,
a plurality of horizontal slots extended through the second plate,
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a second flat member located adjacent the second plate,
the second linear actuator being operatively connected to the second flat
member, and
second flat fasteners extended through the horizontal slots in the second
plate for connecting the second flat member to the second plate in a selected
location on
the second plate.
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Description

CA 02944757 2016-10-11
OVERHEAD DOOR AND FRAME ASSEMBLY
FIELD OF INVENTION
The overhead door and frame assembly is in the art of structures that are used
to
selectively open and close a doorway of a building. The door is a one-piece
door mounted with
hinges to a header of the frame assembly. Hydraulic cylinders operate to swing
the door
between an upright closed position to a generally horizontal open position
allowing vehicles and
equipment to be moved through the doorway into and out of the building.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Buildings have large openings or doorways for accommodating trucks, tractors,
airplanes
and equipment to be moved into and out of the interior spaces in the
buildings. Common types
of conventional doors used to open and close the doorways are horizontally
sliding doors and
two-piece center hinged doors known as bi fold doors. An example of a bi fold
door is disclosed
by M.L. Schweiss in U.S. Patent No. 6,866,080. A plurality of hinges pivotally
mount the bi
fold door to the header of the building whereby the entire weight of the bi
fold door is
accommodated by the header and side jambs of the building. The overall
vertical height of the
doorway is compromised to compensate for the folded bi fold door. Overhead
doors are used to
open and close doorways to maximize the useable space of the doorway of the
structures. An
example of a hydraulically operated overhead door is disclosed by D.J.
Kerkvliet in U.S. Patent
No. 6,883,273. Overhead doors are mounted with hinges load bearing frames that
are separate
from the building structures whereby the weight or load of the overhead doors
is not subjected to
the building headers or side jambs. The load bearing frames are known as free
standing headers
having header mainframes and upright legs. The legs are field welded on
opposite ends of the
headers. The legs must be straight, flush and flat with the headers to
maintain the overhead
1

doors in these aligned open and closed positions. Welding fixtures and tooling
are used to
maintain the alignment of the legs relative to the headers during the field
welding operation. The
welding of the legs to the headers requires welding skills, supplies, labor
and time. R. Peterson
in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2011/0225895 discloses a door
hinged to a frame
secured to a building structure. The frame has a header connected to the
upright posts.
Connectors join the posts to the header. Fasteners such as bolts secure the
connectors to the
posts. Welds are also disclosed as securing the fasteners to the upright
posts. A plurality of
hinges having plates secured to the frame header and door accommodate a rod
pivotally mount
and support the door on the frame.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The overhead door and frame assembly disclosed by M.L. Schweiss in U.S. Patent
Application Publication No. 2015/0376933 has an overhead door supported with
hinges on a
header of a frame assembly. The header is attached to upright columns with
splice assemblies.
Hydraulic cylinders connected to the door and columns are operable to move the
door between
an upright closed position and a generally horizontal open position. The
invention is a frame
assembly for supporting with hinges an overhead door operable to move between
a generally
upright closed position and a generally horizontal open position. The frame
assembly has a
horizontal header supported by upright columns. Splice assemblies secured to
the header
connect the columns to opposite ends of the header. The splice assemblies
include cooperating
retainers and fasteners that align the columns with the header and maintain
the columns straight,
flush and in the same upright plane of the header. A plurality of hinges
pivotally connect a top
Member of the door frame to the header of the frame assembly. Linear actuators
such as
hydraulic cylinders or motor driven screws connected to the door and
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CA 02944757 2016-10-11
columns operate to swing the door between an upright closed position and a
generally horizontal
open position. The frame assembly supports the weight of the door and absorbs
the forces
subjected to the door during the opening and closing of the door thereby
eliminating most if not
all weight and forces on the adjacent building structure. Each splice assembly
has an upright
body having a wall and opposite end edges. A plurality of upright ribs
attached to the body are
retained in a flat surface engagement with a column by adjustable fasteners
connecting the
column to the body. The fasteners include nuts secured to the body and bolts
mounted on the
column engageable with the nuts. In use, the bolts are turned to move the
column into alignment
with the header and secure the column to the splice assembly. A plurality of
second adjustable
fasteners comprise cooperating nuts and bolts. The bolts engage an edge of the
body to hold the
opposite edge of the body in engagement with the column concurrently with the
engagement of
the ribs with this column. The first and second adjustable fasteners retain
the splice assembly in
engagement with the perpendicular walls of the column. The hinges have header
members and
door members. The door members have sleeves rotatably mounted on non-rotatable
pins. The
sleeves are connected with plate members to the top member and upright members
of the door
frame. Header members mounted on pins adjacent the sleeves are secured to the
header of the
frame assembly whereby the hinges support the door on the header of the frame
assembly for
pivotal movement of the door between open and closed positions.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a building equipped with an open overhead
door
pivotally mounted with hinges on a frame assembly for opening and closing a
doorway of the
building;
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CA 02944757 2016-10-11
Figure 2 is a perspective view of the closed overhead door frame mounted with
hinges on
the frame assembly;
Figure 3 is a front elevational view of the frame assembly of Figure 2;
Figure 4 is a right side elevational view of Figure 3;
Figure 5 is a perspective view of the frame assembly of Figure 3 showing the
frame
assembly header separated from the upright side columns;
Figure 6 is a side elevational view of the door frame separated from the frame
assembly
header and the upright side columns separated from the frame assembly header;
Figure 7 is a side elevational view of the door frame mounted on the frame
assembly with
the door frame in the closed location;
Figure 8 is an enlarged sectional view taken along the line 8-8 of Figure 2;
Figure 9 is an elevational view of a lower corner section of the door frame of
Figure 2;
Figure 10 is a sectional view taken along line 10-10 of Figure 9;
Figure 11 is an enlarged foreshortened sectional view taken along the line 11-
11 of
Figure 5;
Figure 12 is a front elevational view of a splice assembly separated from the
frame
assembly separated from the frame assembly header;
Figure 13 is a right side elevational view of Figure 12;
Figure 14 is a rear elevational view of Figure 12;
Figure 15 is a sectional view taken along the line 15-15 of Figure 12;
Figure 16 is atop plan view of Figure 12;
Figure 17 is a bottom plan view of Figure 12;
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Figure 18 is an enlarged foreshortened front elevational view, partly
sectioned, of the
frame assembly of Figure 3;
Figure 19 is a sectional view taken along the line 19-19 of Figure 18;
Figure 20 is an enlarged foreshortened sectional view taken along the line 20-
20 of
Figure 3;
Figure 21 is a perspective view of the left hinge connecting the door frame to
the frame
assembly;
Figure 22 is a front elevational view of Figure 21;
Figure 23 is a rear elevational view of Figure 21;
Figure 24 is a top plan view of Figure 21;
Figure 25 is a bottom plan view of Figure 21;
Figure 26 is a left side elevational view of Figure 21;
Figure 27 is a right side elevational view of Figure 21;
Figure 28 is a perspective view of the center hinge connecting the door frame
to the
frame assembly;
Figure 29 is a front elevational view of Figure 28;
Figure 30 is a rear elevational view of Figure 28;
Figure 31 is a right side elevational view of Figure 28;
Figure 32 is a left side elevational view of Figure 28;
Figure 33 is a top plan view of Figure 28;
Figure 34 is a bottom plan view of Figure 28;
Figure 35 is a front perspective view of the right hinge connecting the door
frame to the
frame assembly;

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Figure 36 is a left side elevational view of Figure 35;
Figure 37 is a right side elevational view of Figure 35;
Figure 38 is a front elevational view of Figure 35;
Figure 39 is a rear elevational view of Figure 35;
Figure 40 is a top plan view of Figure 35; and
Figure 41 is a bottom plan view of Figure 35.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE OVERHEAD DOOR AND FRAME ASSEMBLY
A building 9, shown in Figure 1, has a doorway or opening to allow a vehicle
to move
into and out of the interior of the building. Examples of building 9 include
aviation hangers,
automotive shops, farm shops, commercial buildings, warehouses and
manufacturing plants. An
overhead door 10 mounted on a frame assembly 11 is movable between an upright
closed
position and a horizontal open position above the doorway of the building.
Frame assembly 11
has a horizontal header 12 attached to upright columns or legs 13 and 14.
Header 12 and
columns 13 and 14 are steel tubular members. Door 10 is moved between open and
closed
positions with linear actuators, such as hydraulic cylinders 16 and 17 or
electric motor operated
screws. Mount members 18 and 19 connect the rod ends of hydraulic cylinders 16
and 17 to side
members 31, 32 and 33, 34 of door frame 27. The dead ends of hydraulic
cylinders 16 and 17
are pivotally connected to supports 21 and 22 secured to columns 13 and 14 of
frame assembly
11. A hydraulic fluid pump (not shown) operatively connected to opposite ends
of hydraulic
cylinders 16 and 17 functions to control the flow of hydraulic fluid to and
from hydraulic
cylinders 16 and 17 whereby hydraulic cylinders 16 and 17 selectively move
door 10 between its
open and closed positions. An example of a hydraulic fluid system for a
hydraulically operated
overhead door with hydraulic cylinders is disclosed in U.S. Patent No.
6,883,273. A linear
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actuator having a motor operated screw as disclosed in U.S. Patent No.
6,742,303 can be used to
move door 10 between its open and closed positions.
As shown in Figure 2, door 10 has a rectangular door frame 27 supporting
sheathing 28
and trim. Door frame 27, shown in Figure 2, has upright left and right end
members 31, 32 and
33, 34 connected with horizontal members 43 and 44. Middle upright members 35,
36, 37 and
38 are located between the end members 31, 32 and 33, 34. Horizontal members
39, 40, 41, 42
and 45 are connected to upright members 35, 36, 37 and 38. The upper ends of
the upright
members are connected to a horizontal door frame header 29. The lower ends of
the upright
members are connected to a bottom member 30. The end members 31, 32 and 33, 34
are also
connected to header 29 and bottom member 30. The members and header of door
frame 27 are
tubular steel linear beams or members secured together with welds into a one-
piece door frame.
Sheathing 28 are one or more sheet members attached to the outsides of the
members of door
frame 27.
Frame assembly 11, shown in Figures 2 to 6, has a horizontal header 12 mounted
on the
upper ends of columns 13 and 14 with splice assemblies 49 and 51. Splice
assemblies 49 and 51
align columns 13 and 14 with header 12 and maintain columns 13 and 14
straight, flush and in
the same upright plane of header 12. A plurality of fasteners, 52 and 53, such
as bolt and nut
assemblies, secure columns 13 and 14 to splice assemblies 49 and 51. As shown
in Figure 6, the
upper end of column 13 telescopes into splice assembly 49 attached with welds
to header 12.
Supports or shoes 46 and 47 secured to the bottom of columns 13 and 14 are
adopted to
accommodate anchors (not shown) attached to floor 48, such as a concrete
floor.
A plurality of hinges 54, 55, 56, 57 and 58 pivotally mount door 10 to header
12 of frame
assembly 11 for movement about a horizontal axis between an upright closed
position and a
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generally horizontal open position adjacent the top of the doorway of building
9. Hinges 54 to
58 are located laterally adjacent the outside surface of header 12 and
parallel to the length of
header 12. Hinges 54 to 58 uniformly distribute the weight of door 10 to frame
assembly 11 and
maintain door 10 level during its opening and closing movements. The doorway
structure of
building 9 is not subjected to the weight of door 10 and hydraulic cylinders
16 and 17 that move
door 10 to its open and closed positions.
As shown in Figure 8, hydraulic cylinder 16 has a rod end pivotally connected
with a pin
59 to mount 18 and a cylinder end pivotally connected with a pin or sleeve 61
to support 22.
Support 22 comprises a semi-circular plate 62 welded to column 13. A bracket
63 secured to
plate 62 accommodates pin 61 whereby cylinder 16 is pivotally connected to
bracket 63.
Cylinder 16 in Figure 8 is in its retracted position holding door frame 27 in
an upright position
adjacent frame assembly 11. Hydraulic cylinder 17 operates in conjunction with
hydraulic
cylinder 16 to hold door 10 in its upright closed position. When hydraulic
cylinders 16 and 17
are extended, as shown in Figure 1, door 10 is retained in its horizontal open
position. A
hydraulic fluid system functions to supply hydraulic fluid under pressure to
operate the hydraulic
cylinders 16 and 17. A hydraulic fluid system for the hydraulic cylinders is
disclosed in U.S.
Patent No. 6,742,303. Linear actuators, such as motor driven screw devices,
can be used to
replace the hydraulic cylinders to open and closed door 10.
Mount 18 for hydraulic cylinder 16, shown in Figures 9 and 10, comprises a
flat plate 64
located between upright end members 31 and 32 of door frame 27. Plate 64 is
secured with
welds to end members 31 and 32 whereby the forces subjected to mount 18 are
imparted to both
end members 31 and 32 of door frame 27. Plate 64 has three horizontal slots
66, 67 and 68. A
flat member 69 secured to a rearward extended arm 71 contacts the rear side of
plate 64. The rod
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Date recue/Date received 2023-04-06

CA 02944757 2016-10-11
end of hydraulic cylinder 16 is pivotally connected to arm 71. A bar 22 is
located adjacent the
front side of plate 64. A plurality of fasteners 73, 74, and 75, shown as nut
and bolt assemblies,
extended through slots 66, 67 and 68 clamp member 69 and bar 72 to plate 64 in
an adjusted
horizontal location on plate 64. The horizontal location of member 69 and arm
71 relative to
door frame 27 locates the rod end of hydraulic cylinder 16 in an effective
selected position
relative to door frame 27. Mount 19 secured to members 33 and 34 of door frame
27 has the
same structure and horizontal adjustment as mount 18. Mount 19 is pivotally
connected to the
rod end of hydraulic cylinder 17.
As shown in Figures 11 to 17, splice assembly 49 has a downward extended body
76
comprising a flat member having an upper end extended into header 12. Body 76
extends
downward from the left end of header 12. A pair of parallel ribs or flanges 77
and 78 are secured
to the inside of body 76. Ribs 77 and 78 are secured with welds to body 76.
Ribs 77 and 78 can
be integral with body 76 whereby body 76 and ribs 77 and 78 are a one-piece
member. A
horizontal plate 81 joined to the upper ends of ribs 77 and 78 is located in
surface engagement
with and secured to the bottom of header 12 retains splice assembly 49 in a
downward 90 degree
relationship with respect to header 12. A plurality of nuts 87, 88 and 89 are
mounted on body 76
between ribs 77 and 78. Splice assembly 51 has a body 82 extended downward
from the right
end of header 12. A pair of parallel ribs 83 and 84 are secured with welds to
the inside of body
82. Ribs 83 and 84 can be integral with body 82. A horizontal plate 86 joined
to the bottom of
header 12 and located in surface engagement with the top end of column 14
retains splice
assembly 51 in a downward 90 degree relationship with respect to header 12.
The assembly of columns 13 and 14 or header 12 with splice assemblies 49 and
51 is
illustrated in Figures 18, 19 and 20. Splice assembly 49 extends downward into
the upper end of
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tubular column 13. Bolts 91, 92 and 93 extended through elongated holes 90 in
column 13 are
threaded into nuts 87, 88 and 89 to secure splice assembly 49 to column 13 and
longitudinally
locate column 13 on header 12. As shown in Figure 19, nuts 94, 95 and 96
secured with welds to
the rear side wall of column 13 accommodate bolts 97, 98 and 99. Bolts 97, 98
and 99 extend
into the tubular column 13 and engage body 76 and laterally locate body 76
within column 13.
Bolts 91, 92, 93 and bolts 97, 98 and 99 cooperate with body 76 of splice
assembly 49 to
maintain column 13 in a 90 degree relationship with header 12. Returning to
Figure 18, body 82
of splice assembly 51 supports nuts 101, 102 and 103. Bolts 104, 105 and 106
extended through
elongated hubs in column 14 are threaded into nuts 101, 102 and 103 to secure
splice assembly
to header 12 and longitudinally locate column 14 on header 12. As shown in
Figure 20, a nut
108 secured to the back wall of column 14 accommodate a bolt 109. Bolt 109
extended into
column 14 contacts body 82 to laterally locate column 14 relative to splice
assembly 51.
A first hinge 54, shown in Figures 21 to 27, pivotally connects the left end
of header 12
to the left upper corner of door frame 11. Hinge 54 has a frame assembly unit
111 and a door
frame unit 112 pivotally connected with a pin or cylindrical rod 113. Frame
assembly unit 111
has a top member 116, shown as a flat horizontal plate located on and secured
to the top of
header 12. A plurality of supports 117, 118, 119, 120 and 121 for rod 113
extend downwardly
from the bottom of member 116. Supports 117-121 are flat metal plates having
upwardly
directed projections or ears 122, 123, 124, 125 and 126 located in rectangular
holes 128, 129,
130, 131 in member 116. As shown in Figures 21 and 25, holes 128-131 are
rectangular
openings longitudinally spaced along the length of member 116 that determine
the locations of
supports 117-121 on member 116. Welds secure supports 117-121 to the bottom of
member
116. Body 76 of splice assembly 49 has an upright projection or ear 133
located in a rectangular

CA 02944757 2016-10-11
hole 134 in member 116 located adjacent hole 128. The top end of splice
assembly 49 is secured
with welds to plate 81. Plate 81 is secured with welds to header 12.
Returning to Figures 21 and 27, a block or square member 136 is secured to the
right end
of pin 113. Block 136 is located adjacent the outside surface of support 121.
A stop 137 secured
to support 12 is located adjacent block 136 functions to prevent block 136 and
pin 113 from
rotating on supports 117-121. A retainer 114, shown as a cotter key, on the
left end of pin 113
and block 136 limit longitudinal shifting of pin 113 relative to supports 117-
121. Pin 113
extends through aligned openings in support 117-121. Support 120 has a
cylindrical opening
138 for pin 113. Supports 117, 118, 119 and 121 have cylindrical openings for
pin 113 that
correspond to opening 138 in support 120. Block 136 and stop 137 prevent pin
113 from
rotating on supports 117-121 thereby precluding wear on and cutting of pin
113.
Hinge 54 has a second or door frame unit 112 pivotally connected to pin 113 to
allow
door frame 27 to move between its upright closed position and horizontal open
position. Door
frame unit 112 has a horizontal member or plate 139 secured to the top member
29 of door frame
27. A first pair of upright members 141 and 142 mounted on plate 139 have
lower sections
secured to opposite sides of door frame end member 31 and upper sections
located adjacent
supports 117 and 118. A tubular sleeve 143 secured to the upper sections of
members 141 and
142 surround pin 113. A second pair of upright members 144 and 146 mounted on
plate 139
have lower sections secured to opposite sides of door frame end member 32 and
upper sections
located adjacent supports 119 and 120. A tubular sleeve 147 secured to the
upper sections of
members 141 and 142 surround pin 113. The upright members 141, 142 and 144,
146 reinforce
and add strength to the connection of door frame end members 31 and 32 to
hinge 54 and door
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frame header 29. A spacer bar 148 located between and secured to members 142
and 141 and
plate 139 maintains the lateral space between members 142 and 144.
A first pair of upright arms 149 and 151 secured to plate 139 are located
between
supports 118 and 119. A tubular sleeve 142 secured with welds to arms 149 and
151
accommodates pin 113. A second pair of upright arms 153 and 154 secured to
plate 139 are
located between supports 120 and 121. Opposite ends of a sleeve 156 extend
through holes in
arms 153 and 154. Welds secure sleeve 156 to arms 153 and 154. Sleeve 156 has
a cylindrical
passage accommodating pin 113. Sleeves 143, 147, 152 and 156 are rotatably
mounted on pin
113 whereby pin 113 supports door frame 27 on header 12 along with hinges 55,
56, 57 and 58.
As shown in Figure 23, grease fittings 157, 158, 159 and 160 mounted on the
back of sleeves
143, 152, 147 and 156 are used to introduce grease into sleeves to lubricate
the interface between
sleeves 143, 152, 147 and 156 and pin 113. Grease fittings 157-160 extend
downward when
door 10 is in its open position whereby the grease fittings are accessible to
a person for applying
grease to the grease fittings.
Returning to Figure 2, second hinges 55, 56 and 57 secured to frame assembly
11 and
door frame 27 are located between end hinges 54 and 58. The number of hinges
between end
hinges 54 and 58 can vary between one or more hinges according to the width of
door 10.
Hinges 55, 56 and 57 have identical structures and functions that support door
frame 27 on
header 12 and allow door frame 27 to pivotally move between an upright closed
position to a
generally horizontal open position. The following description of hinge 55,
shown in Figures 28
to 34, is applicable to hinges 56 and 57.
Proceeding to Figures 28 to 34, second hinge 55 has a frame assembly unit 161
pivotally
connected with a pin 162 to a door frame unit 163. Frame assembly unit 161 has
a flat member
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or plate 164. A pair of supports 166 and 167 are secured with welds to the
bottom of plate 164.
Upright projections or ears 168 and 169 on supports 166 and 167 are located in
rectangular holes
or openings 171 and 172. Ears 168 and 169 located in openings 171 and 172
laterally located
supports 166 and 167 on plate 164. Plate 164 and supports 166 and 167 are
secured with welds
to header 12 as shown in Figure 2. A block 173 located adjacent support 167 is
secured to pin
162. A stop 174 attached to support 167 is located in engagement with block
173 to prevent
block 173 and pin 162 from rotating on supports 166 and 167. A retainer 176,
shown as a cotter
key, on the end of pin 162 opposite block 173 cooperates with block 173 to
limit axial movement
of pin 162 relative to supports 166 and 167.
Door frame unit 163 has a flat member or plate 163 secured with welds to the
top or
header member 29 of door frame 27. A pair of upright arms 178 and 179 secured
to plate 177
are located between supports 166 and 167. Arms 178 and 179 have cylindrical
holes or openings
181 and 182 accommodating a cylindrical tubular sleeve 183. Pin 162 extends
through tubular
sleeve 182 thereby rotatably mounting sleeve 182 on pin 162 and supporting
door frame 27 on
header 12. As shown in Figure 30, a grease fitting 184 is mounted on the back
side of sleeve
183. A conventional grease gun is used with grease fitting 184 to introduce
grease to the
interface between pin 162 and sleeve 183.
A third right hinge 58, shown in Figures 35 to 41, has a frame assembly unit
186
connected with a horizontal pin or rod 187 to a door frame unit 188. Door
frame unit 188 is
secured to door frame 27, as shown in Figure 2. Frame assembly unit 186
includes a horizontal
member or plate 189 and downwardly directed supports 191, 192, 193, 194, 195
and 196 secured
with welds to the bottom of plate 189. Supports 191 to 196 have upward
directed projections or
ears 197, 198 199, 200, 201 located in longitudinally separated openings in
plate 187. The ears
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197 to 201 located in the openings in plate 189 laterally space adjacent
supports along the length
of plate 189.
Door frame unit 188 includes a flat horizontal member or plate 203. A first
pair of
upright members 204 and 205 are attached to the left or inner end of plate
203. A second pair of
upright members 206 and 207 are attached to a middle section of plate 203. A
third pair of
upright members 208 and 209 are attached to the right or outer end of plate
203. A flat first bar
211 located between upright members 205 and 206 is secured with welds to plate
203 and
upright members 205 and 206. Bar 211 laterally spaces upright members 205 and
206 and
reinforces plate 203 and upright members 205 and 206. A second bar 212 located
between
upright members 207 and 208 is secured with welds to plate 203 and upright
members 207 and
208. Bar 212 laterally spaces upright members 207 and 208 and reinforces plate
203 and upright
members 208 and 209. Sleeves 213, 214 and 215 are located between the upper
sections of
upright members 204, 205 and 206, 207, and 208, 209. Sleeves 213, 214 and 215
are tubular
members having cylindrical passages accommodating pin 187. Opposite ends of
sleeves 213,
214 and 215 are secured to adjacent upright members. A first pair of upright
arms 216 and 217
are secured with welds to plate 203 between supports 192 and 193. A sleeve 218
secured to
arms 216 and 217 accommodates pin 187. A second pair of upright arms 219 and
220 are
secured to plate 203 between supports 194 and 195. A sleeve 221 secured to
arms 219 and 220
accommodate pin 187. Sleeves 218 and 221 are tubular members having
cylindrical passages
accommodating pin 187. Pin 187 is an elongated cylindrical member that extends
through
supports 191 to 196, and sleeves 213, 214, 215, 218 and 221 to pivotally
connect frame assembly
unit 186 to door frame unit 188. A block 223, shown in Figure 36, secured to
the end of pin 181
contacts a stop 223 that prevents rotation of pin 187 relative to supports 191
to 196 and sleeves
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213, 214, 215, 218 and 221. Sleeves 213, 214, 215, 218 and 221 rotate on fixed
pin 187 during
the opening and closing movements of door 10. A retainer 224, shown as a
cotter key, on the
end of pin opposite block 222, shown in Figures 35, 37, 38 and 39, limits
axial movement of pin
187 relative to supports 191 to 196 and sleeves 213, 214, 215, 218 and 221. As
shown in Figure
39, grease fittings 226, 227, 218, 229 and 230 are attached to sleeves 214,
221, 214, 218 and 215.
Grease fittings 226 to 230 accommodate a conventional grease gun used to
introduce grease to
the interface between sleeves 213, 214, 215, 218 and 221 and pin 187. Grease
fittings 226 to 230
extend downward when door 10 is in its open position whereby all of grease
fittings 226 to 230
are accessible to a person for applying grease to the grease fittings.
Returning to Figure 2, members 141 and 142 of hinge 54 are secured with welds
to
opposite sides of end door frame member 31 and member 144 and 146 are secured
with welds to
opposite sides of door frame member 32. Plate 139 is secured with welds to the
top door frame
header 29. Hinge member 141, 142, 144 and 146 along with plate 139 are the
left corner
structure that connects door frame members 31 and 32 to door header 29. Hinges
55, 56 and 57
are vertically aligned with door frame members 36, 37 and 38. The vertical
orientation of hinges
55, 56 and 57 relative to door frame members 36, 37 and 38 reduces the door
weight bending and
twisting forces on header 12 and frame member 29. Members 204 and 205 of hinge
58 are
secured with welds to opposite sides of door member 35. Members 206 and 207
are secured
with welds to opposite sides of door member 35. Members 208 and 209 are
secured with welds
to opposite sides of end door member 33. The hinge members 204, 205, 206, 207,
208 and 209
secured to door members 35, 34 and 33 are the right corner structure that
connects the door
frame 27 to frame assembly header 12.

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Proceeding to Figures 5, 6, 18 and 20, columns 13 and 14 are inserted into
splice
assemblies 49 and 51 secured to opposite ends of header 12 and hinges 54 and
58. A plurality of
bolts 91, 92 and 93 extended through holes in column 13 are threaded into nuts
87, 88 and 89.
Bolts 57, 58 and 59 are turned tight to secure column 13 to splice assembly 49
and move the
inner wall of column 13 into firm engagement with ribs 87 and 88. The outer
wall of column 13
is located in vertical alignment with the first outer end of header 12. The
outer surface of the
wall of column 13 is located in the same or common vertical plane as the first
end of header 12.
The first end of header 12 and column 13 are located in close relationship
with the adjacent
surface of building wall 9.
As shown in Figures 19 and 20, bolts 97, 98 and 99 threaded through nuts 94,
95 and 96
engage a side of body 76. Nuts 94, 95 and 96 are secured by welds adjacent
holes in column 13.
Bolts 97, 98 and 99 are turned to hold body 82 in column 13. The outside
surface of the wall of
column 14 is vertically aligned with the outside front surface of header 12.
The outside surface
of the wall of column 14 and the outside front surface of header 12 are
located in the same or
common vertical plane.
Splice assembly 51, shown in Figures 18 and 20, secured to column 14 with
bolts 104,
105 and 106 and nuts 101, 102 and 103 retains column 14 in a vertical position
relative to header
12. Column 14 is prevented from moving laterally and vertically relative to
header 12. Bolts
104, 105 and 106 and 109 also permit adjustment of column 14 in two directions
relative to the
end of header 12.
The foregoing drawing and description of the frame assembly and hinges for an
overhead
door is one embodiment of the invention. Persons skilled in the art of
overhead doors can make
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changes and modifications in structures and materials of the door, frame
assembly and hinges
without departing from the door, frame assembly and hinges defined in the
claims.
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