An emergency bi-fold door closing prevention system includes a building having an access opening with an upper edge. A bi-fold door is hingedly mounted to the building wall and includes a plurality of panels each being laterally elongated. The plurality of panels includes a bottom panel having a bottom edge that is positionable adjacent to a floor surface to define a closed position. A safety line assembly is attached to and extends between the building wall adjacent to the upper edge and the bi-fold door adjacent to the bottom edge. The safety line has an extendable length. The length of the safety line assembly extends when the bi-fold door moves toward the closed position below a threshold velocity. The length of the safety line assembly is inhibited from extending when the bi-fold door moves toward the closed position above the threshold velocity to prevent unimpeded falling of the bi-fold door.

A latch assembly connected to the drive unit of a bi-fold door for retaining the bi-fold door secure to a building has elongated straps attached to rotatable latch drums mounted on the outer ends of the drive shaft of the drive unit. Lift drums powered by a motor driven gearbox raise and lower the bi-fold door. Latch assemblies having springs attached to the straps maintain tension on the straps during the opening and closing of the bi-fold door.

A bi-fold overhead door system that includes a frame, a bi-fold overhead door and a hydraulic cylinder. The bi-fold overhead door has an upper door leaf and a lower door leaf. The upper door leaf is pivotally mounted to the frame. The lower door leaf is pivotally mounted to the upper door leaf. The hydraulic cylinder has a first cylinder end and a second cylinder end. The first cylinder end is operably attached to the frame. The second cylinder end is operably attached to the upper door leaf. The hydraulic cylinder is capable of moving the bi-fold overhead door between a closed configuration and an open configuration. At least one of the frame and the upper door leaf has a slot formed therein. When the bi-fold overhead door is in the closed configuration, the hydraulic cylinder is substantially recessed in the slot.

An improved bi-fold shutter that includes a more efficient coupling mechanism at a hinge point suited to facilitate opening and closing the bi-fold shutter with greater ease. In one embodiment, the shutter may be designed for a window such that the shutter, when closed, is relatively close to the face of the associated window, and when open, forms an awning or overhang. The shutter includes an improved coupling mechanism at a hinge point between a first shutter portion and a second shutter portion. The improved hinge point shifts a direction of force needed to maneuver the shutter when moving the shutter from one position to another. The shift in opening and closing force directions improves the efficiency by which the shutter can be operated. In some embodiments, the shutter may be hand-operated. In other embodiments, the shutter may be powered.

An improved bi-fold shutter that includes a more efficient coupling mechanism at a hinge point suited to facilitate opening and closing the bi-fold shutter with greater ease. In one embodiment, the shutter may be designed for a window such that the shutter, when closed, is relatively close to the face of the associated window, and when open, forms an awning or overhang. The shutter includes an improved coupling mechanism at a hinge point between a first shutter portion and a second shutter portion. The improved hinge point shifts a direction of force needed to maneuver the shutter when moving the shutter from one position to another. The shift in opening and closing force directions improves the efficiency by which the shutter can be operated. In some embodiments, the shutter may be hand-operated. In other embodiments, the shutter may be powered.

A door (10) comprising a door member having a rectangular frame (22) on which components forming the door member are assembled. The frame includes top, side and a bottom frame member (24, 26a, 26b, 28). The frame is sized and shaped to fit within an opening (P) in a sidewall (S) of a portable building (B). A foam panel (16) fits in the frame. Door panels (12, 14) are affixed to the outsides of the foam panel using an adhesive material. The result is a laminated door that can be lowered and raised for moving people and objects into and out of the building.

A latch assembly connected to the drive unit of a bi-fold door for retaining the bi-fold door secure to a building has elongated straps attached to rotatable latch drums mounted on the outer ends of the drive shaft of the drive unit. Lift drums powered by a motor driven gearbox raise and lower the bi-fold door. Latch assemblies having springs attached to the straps maintain tension on the straps during the opening and closing of the bi-fold door.

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. Hinge assemblies pivotally mount the door on the header for movement between open and closed positions.

A latch assembly connected to the drive unit of a bi-fold door for retaining the bi-fold door secure to a building has elongated straps attached to rotatable latch drums mounted on the outer ends of the drive shaft of the drive unit. Lift drums powered by a motor driven gearbox raise and lower the bi-fold door. Latch assemblies having springs attached to the straps maintain tension on the straps during the opening and closing of the bi-fold door.

An improved bi-fold shutter that includes a more efficient coupling mechanism at a hinge point suited to facilitate opening and closing the bi-fold shutter with greater ease. In one embodiment, the shutter may be designed for a window such that the shutter, when closed, is relatively close to the face of the associated window, and when open, forms an awning or overhang. The shutter includes an improved coupling mechanism at a hinge point between a first shutter portion and a second shutter portion. The improved hinge point shifts a direction of force needed to maneuver the shutter when moving the shutter from one position to another. The shift in opening and closing force directions improves the efficiency by which the shutter can be operated. In some embodiments, the shutter may be hand-operated. In other embodiments, the shutter may be powered.