Pressure and impact resistant sectional door
11591845 · 2023-02-28
Assignee
Inventors
Cpc classification
E06B3/5892
FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
E06B3/5821
FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
International classification
E06B3/988
FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
Abstract
Disclosed is a sectional door adapted to withstand high wind load and impact from flying debris. The door includes a glazing bead to secure glazing panels into frames formed by the rails and stiles of the door. The bead is connected with the frame by engagement between extensions on the bead and respective lips along the edges of the frame. The bead is pressed against the frame, causing the extension to elastically flex to allow the extensions to fit between the lips. The extensions are received in gaps formed by the lips to secure the bead in place on the frame. Force on the door cause by high winds is communicated from the glazing panel through the bead and to the frame. The door also includes reinforcements arranged along the rails to communicate forces, such as high wind load forces, from the frame to the edges of the doorway surrounding the door. The reinforcements include endcaps that increase stiffness of the rails to prevent the rails from buckling during severe weather events.
Claims
1. A door comprising: a plurality of rails; a plurality of stiles, wherein the stiles connect adjacent ones of the rails to form a frame; a glazing panel fitted within the frame, wherein the panel comprises an inward facing surface and an outward facing surface; and a glazing bead connected with the frame, wherein the glazing bead secures the panel in the frame, wherein the frame comprises: a stop along a perimeter of the frame at an outward side of the frame, wherein the outward facing surface of the glazing panel is in contact with an inward facing surface of the stop; a first lip along the perimeter of the frame, the first lip positioned inward from the stop; and a second lip along the perimeter of the frame, the second lip positioned inward from the first lip, wherein the glazing bead comprises: a glazing bead body; an abutment at an outermost end of the body, wherein the abutment is positioned in contact with the inward facing surface of the panel and wherein the glazing panel is secured in the frame by contact with the stop and the abutment; a first engagement extension extending from the body and engaging with the first lip; and a second engagement extension extending from the body and engaging with the second lip, wherein an inward facing surface of the second engagement extension abuts an outward facing surface of the second lip, wherein inwardly directed force on the glazing panel is communicated to the body by contact with the abutment, wherein the inwardly directed force is communicated to the frame by the second engagement extension in contact with the second lip.
2. The door of claim 1, wherein the glazing panel comprises a notch on the inward facing surface of the panel along a perimeter of the panel, and wherein the glazing bead body comprises a notch engaging arm, and wherein the arm extends from the body and engages in the notch.
3. The door of claim 1, wherein the first engagement extension contacts an inward-facing surface of the first lip and wherein engagement of the first engagement extension with the first lip and engagement of the second engagement extension with the second lip secures the glazing bead with the frame.
4. The door of claim 3, wherein the first engagement extension comprises a resilient portion and wherein deflection of the resilient portion forces the first engagement extension against the first lip and forces the second engagement extension against the second lip.
5. The door of claim 1, wherein the frame further comprises a first gap formed by the first lip and a second gap formed by the second lip, wherein the first engagement extension is received in the first gap and wherein the second engagement extension is received in the second gap.
6. The door of claim 1, wherein a force applied to the panel in the outward direction is communicated from the panel to the frame by contact of the panel with the stop.
7. The door of claim 1, further comprising one or more reinforcements connected, respectively, with one or more of the rails, wherein the reinforcement extends parallel with the rail across at least a portion of a width of the door, wherein the reinforcement comprises an endcap.
8. The door of claim 7, wherein a plurality of flanges along an inward-facing edge of the reinforcement engage with a respective plurality of gaps along an outward-facing edge of the endcap.
9. The door of claim 8, further comprising two pulleys, the pulleys arranged at opposite ends of at least one of the plurality of rails; two tracks, the tracks arranged along opposite edges of a doorway, wherein the pulleys at ends of the at least one rail engage with respective ones of the tracks to connect the edges of the door with the doorway, wherein an inward force exerted on the glazing panel is communicated to the frame by the glazing bead, wherein the inward force is communicated from the frame to the rails, wherein the inward force is communicated from the rails to the tracks, and wherein the reinforcement and endcap resist deflection of the door by the inward force.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
(1) A more complete appreciation of the disclosure and many of the attendant advantages thereof will be readily obtained as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION
(13) As discussed above, components of buildings must generally comply with local building codes. In regions of the world where high-wind events such as hurricanes are more frequent, building codes often require that structures be able to withstand forces expected during such events. Structures such as sectional doors may be required to withstand specified minimum forces exerted by wind or by pressure differentials between the interior and exterior of the building to meet the code. For example, a door may be required to withstand a certain number of pounds per square foot (PSF). The actual force exerted on the door will depend on the area of the door panel. Thus, the strength of the door may set a limit on the area of the door.
(14) For purposes of the disclosure, the terms “distal,” “outward,” “outward-facing” and “in an outward direction” refer to the direction from the interior of the building through the door toward the exterior of the building. The terms “proximal,” “inward,” “inward-facing,” and “in an inward direction” refer to the direction from the exterior of the building through the door toward the interior of the building.
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(16) Each section 10 is formed by a top rail 4a and a bottom rail 4b. Rails 4a, 4b include one or more pulleys at their ends. These pulleys engage with tracks 14 to allow the door to be moved up and down.
(17) Stiles 2 run vertically between the top 4a and bottom 4b rail on each section 10 of the door. In the embodiment shown in
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(19) For clarity of the description, the terms “frameward,” “frame-facing,” and “in a frameward direction” refer to the direction along the face of glazing panel 6 toward the frame formed by rails 4a, 4b, and stiles 2 surrounding the panel. The terms “panelward,” “panel-facing,” and “in a panelward direction” refer to the direction along the face of the glazing panel away from the frame surrounding the panel and toward the center of the panel.
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(21) Stop 41 is provided distal of glazing panel 6 near the outward face of rail 4b. According to this embodiment, stop 41 includes a sloped sill 41a outward from panel 6. The inward-facing part of stop 41 forms a sealing surface 41b. A seal 42 is provided against the sealing surface 41b. Seal 42 may a semi-solid material, such as glazer's putty or an elastomeric material such as foam glazer's tape. According to some embodiments, seal 42 is provided with pressure sensitive adhesive so that it can be easily fixed to sealing surface 41b as the door 100 is assembled. The outward facing surface of panel 6 contacts seal 42. Where seal 42 includes a contact adhesive on the side facing panel 6, this may simplify assembling the door by adhering panel in place while bead 20 is installed, as will be explained below.
(22) A support surface 43 may be provided on rail 4b. Support surface 43 is spaced away from the edge of panel 6. In some embodiments, the edge of panel 6 is in contact with surface 43.
(23) First engaging lip 44 and first receiving section 44a are located on rail 4b inward from (that is, proximal of) panel 6 and surface 43. First lip 44 slopes upward in the panelward direction from surface 43 and is spaced apart from first receiving section 44a by a first gap 44b. Intermediate lip 46 and intermediate receiving section 46a are located on rail 4b inward from (that is, proximal of) first lip 44 and first receiving section 44a is. Intermediate lip 46 slopes upward and away from rail 4b in the panelward direction. Second engaging lip 45 is provided toward the inward edge of rail 4b distal of intermediate lip 46. Second engaging lip 45 extends in the outward direction above intermediate receiving section 46a. A second gap 45b is provided between second lip and intermediate receiving section 46a.
(24) Glazing bead 20 fixes glazing panel 6 with rail 4b. Body 23 of bead 20 extends along major axis 50. Panel engaging arm 22 of bead 20 extends in the panelward direction at a shallow angle with respect to axis 50. Panel engaging bar 21 is provided at the outward (distal) end of arm 22. Bar 21 fits into notch 6a of panel 6. Abutment 27 is positioned at the outward (distal) end of body 23 along major axis 50. Abutment 27 presses against the inward facing surface of panel 6. According to one embodiment, pressure of abutment 27 against panel 6 presses the panel against seal 42 and against sealing surface 41b of stop 41 to provide a weather-tight seal between rail 4b and panel 6.
(25) First engagement extension 24 extends in the frameward direction from body 23 toward rail 4b. Extension 24 extends into first gap 44b and engages with the inward-facing surface of first lip 44. Second engagement extension 25 extends frameward from body 23 toward rail 4b and is positioned towards the inward-most (proximal) end of bead 20. Second extension 25 engages with second lip 45 and extends into the second gap 45b formed between second lip 45 and intermediate receiving section 46a.
(26) According to some embodiments, first extension 24 resiliently deforms when bead 20 is engaged with rail 4b. Extension 24 may have a resilient portion 24b with curved or hook-shaped cross section to facilitate this resilient engagement. In some embodiments, the spring tension created as a result of this deformation presses first extension 24 in the outward direction so that first extension 24 is held in first gap 44b between first lip 44 and first receiving section 44a. The spring tension presses second extension 25 in the inward (proximal) direction so that second extension 25 is held in second gap 45b between second lip 45 and intermediate receiving section 46a. This arrangement holds bead 20 onto rail 4b and keeps abutment 27 pressed against panel 6.
(27) Intermediate extension 26 on bead 20 extends from body 23 toward rail 4b. When bead 20 is engaged with rail 4b, intermediate extension 46 contacts intermediate receiving section 46a. Likewise, intermediate lip 46 extends panelward from rail 4b and may contact the bottom surface of body 23. Contact between the intermediate extension 26 and rail 4b and/or between the intermediate lip 46 and body 23 keep body 23 positioned so that major axis 50 of bead is perpendicular to the face of panel 6.
(28) In the configuration shown in
(29) Pressure on panel 6 directed inward, for example, when the door 100 is on the windward side of a building, as well as the force that panel may experience due to impact from wind-borne objects on the outside of the panel 6 are communicated to bottom rail 4b (as well as top rail 4a and stiles 2) by bead 20. Abutment 27 absorbs force directly inward along major axis 50. This force drives body 23 inward, pressing second extension 25 against second lip 45. Because both abutment 27 and extension 25 are along, or are very close to, major axis 50, this inward force is communicated from panel 6 to door section 10 and then to the tracks 14 along the wall of the building. Because the inwardly directed force is primarily along axis 50, very little torque is applied to bead 20. This reduces the tendence for bead 20 to be pulled away from rail 4b (and top rail 4a, and stiles 2 forming the door frame) during a storm event.
(30) The edge of panel 6 is fixed by abutment 27 and sealing surface 41b of stop 41. Force applied to panel 6 in either the inward or outward direction may cause panel 6 to bow. Bowing of the panel 6 rotates the edge of panel 6 with respect to the fixed region created by the abutment 27 and stop 41b. This rotation will tend to pull the lower edge of notch 6a away from the frame (upward in the view of
(31) Embodiments of the disclosure are described with a glazing bead provided on the inward-facing side of the glazing panel. The disclosure is not limited to this arrangement and is also applicable to providing the glazing bead on the outward-facing surface of the glazing panel.
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(33) While the bead 20 is positioned as shown in
(34) According to other embodiments, in addition to the resilient engagement between bead 20 and rail 4a, 4b and stile 2, additional fasteners may be provided to connect the bead to the rail or stile. For example, a fastener could be inserted through body 23 into rail 4b. According to one embodiment, notch 23a is provided in body 23 to guide the insertion of fasteners, such as self-tapping screws.
(35) According to other embodiments, in addition to, or instead of fasteners connecting bead 20 with rails 4a, 4b and stiles 2, an adhesive is provided. According to one embodiment, a portion of adhesive is applied at one or more locations along each of the rails 4a, 4b, and stiles 2 surrounding panel 6. According to one embodiment, portions of adhesive are applied on the proximal sides of first lip 44 and intermediate lip 46. According to this embodiment, when bead 20 is installed, as shown in
(36) Glazing bead 20 may be formed as an extrusion, with a continuous length cut to size to fit along rails 4a, 4b, and stiles 2. Glazing bead 20 may be formed from a metal, such as aluminum or a polymer such as high-density polyethylene.
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(39) In the embodiment shown in
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(49) As shown in
(50) According to one embodiment, reinforcement 62 increases the stiffness of rails 4a, 4b by increasing the mechanical moment of inertia of the rail where force is applied against the face door 100, for example, during a storm event when wind forces drive the door in the inward and outward direction. Endcap 64 further increases this moment of inertia, and hence, the stiffness of the door panel. The stiffened rails 4a, 4b transfer the force applied to the glazing panels to the tracks 14 connected with the walls surrounding the doorway.
(51) While illustrative embodiments of the disclosure have been described and illustrated above, it should be understood that these are exemplary of the disclosure and are not to be considered as limiting. Additions, deletions, substitutions, and other modifications can be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the disclosure. Accordingly, the disclosure is not to be considered as limited by the foregoing description.