Hydraulic leveraged overhead door assembly

Abstract

The present invention is a door assembly including a rectangular door frame, a bi-fold door pivotally mounted at the top of the rectangular door frame and at least one hydraulic cylinder assembly. The hydraulic cylinder assembly is pivotally secured by a first end to a cylinder support mounted on a back side of the door frame, and by a second lower end to a cylinder support secured to a back surface of a top panel of the bi-fold door. In the door closed position, the longitudinal axis of the cylinder is oriented at an acute angle away from a plane defined by the door pivot axis and the lower pivot axis of the cylinder. A hydraulic control assembly controls movement of the door between an open and closed position.

Claims

1. A multi-panel door and frame assembly for a rough opening in a building, comprising: a mounting frame assembly having a front .Iadd.side .Iaddend.and .Iadd.a .Iaddend.back side, the mounting frame assembly being mountable within .[.a.]. .Iadd.the .Iaddend.rough opening of .[.a.]. .Iadd.the .Iaddend.building, the mounting frame including a horizontal frame member, a first vertical frame member secured by a top end to a first end of the horizontal frame member, a second vertical frame member secured by a top end to a second end of the horizontal frame member, and .[.at least one.]. .Iadd.a .Iaddend.linearly extendable actuator upper support bracket secured to the back side of the mounting frame assembly.[., for pivotally engaging an upper end of a linearly extendable actuator for rotation about a linearly extendable actuator upper pivot axis.]. .Iadd.and extending down relative to the horizontal frame member to provide a linearly extendable actuator upper pivot axis that is beneath the horizontal frame member and adjacent to one of the first vertical frame member and the second vertical frame member.Iaddend.; a door including an upper panel and .[.at.]. .Iadd.a .Iaddend.lower panel, the upper panel having a back .Iadd.surface .Iaddend.and .Iadd.a .Iaddend.front surface, wherein the upper panel is pivotally secured by a top edge to the .[.mounting frame.]. horizontal .Iadd.frame .Iaddend.member for rotation about an upper panel pivot axis, and wherein the upper panel is pivotally secured by a bottom edge to a top edge of the lower panel.Iadd., and wherein the back surface of the upper panel is associated with the back side of the mounting frame assembly.Iaddend.; .[.at least one.]. .Iadd.a .Iaddend.linearly extendable actuator lower support bracket secured to and extending .[.rearward.]. .Iadd.away .Iaddend.from .[.a.]. .Iadd.the .Iaddend.back surface of the upper panel .[.for pivotally engaging a lower end of a linearly extendable actuator for rotation about.]. .Iadd.to provide .Iaddend.a linearly extendable actuator lower pivot axis; .[.at least one.]. .Iadd.a .Iaddend.linearly extendable actuator having an upper .Iadd.end .Iaddend.and .Iadd.a .Iaddend.lower end, pivotally mounted by its upper end to the linearly extendable actuator upper support bracket and pivotally secured by its lower end to the linearly extendable actuator lower support bracket.Iadd., wherein the linearly extendable actuator upper support bracket is configured to pivotally engage the upper end of the linearly extendable actuator for rotation about the linearly extendable actuator upper pivot axis and the linearly extendable actuator lower support bracket is configured to pivotally engage the lower end of the linearly extendable actuator for rotation about the linearly extendable actuator lower pivot axis.Iaddend.; a linearly extendable actuator control assembly in communication with the linearly extendable actuator to control extension and retraction of the linearly extendable actuator to open and close the door; and wherein .[.the linearly extendable actuator upper pivot axis is located below and behind the upper panel pivot axis, and.]. the linearly extendable actuator lower pivot axis is located .[.below and behind the linearly extendable actuator upper pivot axis, when the door is in its closed position.]. .Iadd.at a first distance away from a plane defined by the back surface of the upper panel, the linearly extendable actuator upper pivot axis is located at a second distance away from the plane defined by the back surface of the upper panel, and the first distance is greater than the second distance.Iaddend..

.[.2. A bi-fold panel door and mounting frame assembly for a rough opening in a building, comprising: a mounting frame assembly having a front and back side, the mounting frame being mountable within a rough opening, the mounting frame including a horizontal frame member and first and second vertical frame members secured to and extending downward from opposite ends of the horizontal frame member, at least one linearly extendable actuator upper support bracket secured to the back side of the mounting frame assembly for pivotally engaging an upper end of a linearly extendable actuator for rotation about a linearly extendable actuator upper pivot axis; a bi-fold panel door having an upper panel and lower panel, the upper panel having a front and back surface, wherein the upper panel is pivotally secured at a top edge of the upper panel to the mounting frame assembly horizontal member, defining an upper panel pivot axis and wherein the upper panel is pivotally secured by a bottom edge to a top edge of the lower panel; at least one linearly extendable actuator lower support bracket secured to and extending rearward from a back surface of the upper panel for pivotally engaging a lower end of a linearly extendable actuator for a rotation about a linearly extendable actuator lower pivot axis; at least one linearly extendable actuator having an upper and lower end, pivotally mounted by its upper end to the linearly extendable actuator upper support bracket and pivotally secured by its lower end to the linearly extendable actuator lower support bracket; and a linearly extendable actuator control assembly in communication with the linearly extendable actuator to control extension and retraction of the actuator to open and close the bi-fold panel door; wherein the linearly extendable actuator upper pivot axis is located below and behind the upper panel pivot axis, and the linearly extendable actuator lower pivot axis is located below and behind the linearly extendable actuator upper pivot axis, when the door is in its closed position..].

.[.3. The bi-fold panel and mounting frame assembly of claim 2 wherein two linearly extendable actuator upper support brackets are secured to opposite sides of the mounting frame assembly, two linearly extendable actuator lower support brackets secured to opposite sides of the upper panel, and two linearly extendable actuators are each secured to a corresponding pair of linearly extendable actuator upper and lower support brackets. .].

4. The .[.bi-fold panel.]. .Iadd.multi-panel door .Iaddend.and .[.mounting.]. frame assembly of claim .[.2.]. .Iadd.1, .Iaddend.wherein .[.the.]. .Iadd.said .Iaddend.linearly extendable actuator upper support bracket is secured on .[.or adjacent to a corresponding.]. .Iadd.the .Iaddend.vertical frame member .Iadd.to which it is adjacent.Iaddend..

5. The .[.bi-fold panel.]. .Iadd.multi-panel door .Iaddend.and .[.mounting.]. frame assembly of claim .[.2.]. .Iadd.1, .Iaddend.wherein the upper panel has a width and a height and .[.the.]. .Iadd.said .Iaddend.linearly extendable actuator lower .[.support bracket.]. .Iadd.pivot axis .Iaddend.is located .Iadd.in a position corresponding to .Iaddend.approximately mid-height of the upper panel.

.[.6. The bi-fold panel and mounting frame assembly of claim 2 wherein the upper panel pivot axis and linearly extendable actuator lower pivot axis form a plane and the linearly extendable actuator upper and lower pivot axes form a plane and wherein the angle of intersection of these planes remains at an acute angle as the door is moved between an open and closed position..].

7. The .[.bi-fold panel.]. .Iadd.multi-panel door .Iaddend.and .[.mounting.]. frame assembly of claim .[.2.]. .Iadd.1, .Iaddend.wherein the upper panel pivot axis and linearly extendable actuator lower pivot axis form a plane and the linearly extendable actuator upper and lower pivot axes form a plane and wherein the angle of intersection of these planes .[.remains at.]. .Iadd.is .Iaddend.an acute angle .[.as the door is moved between an open and closed position and wherein the acute angle formed by these planes is approximately 0 to 30 degrees when the door is in its closed position and is approximately 5 to 35 degrees when the door is in its open position.]. .Iadd.within a range of 0 to 13 degrees when the door is in a closed position and is an acute angle within a range of 12 to 25 degrees when the door is in an open position.Iaddend..

8. The .[.bi-fold panel.]. .Iadd.multi-panel .Iaddend.door and .[.mounting.]. frame assembly of claim .[.2.]. .Iadd.1, .Iaddend.wherein the upper and lower panels have identical heights.

9. The .[.bi-fold panel.]. .Iadd.multi-panel .Iaddend.door and .[.mounting.]. frame assembly of claim .[.2.]. .Iadd.1, .Iaddend.wherein the upper and lower panels have different heights.

10. The .[.bi-fold panel.]. .Iadd.multi-panel .Iaddend.door and .[.mounting.]. frame assembly of claim .[.2.]. .Iadd.1.Iaddend., wherein the linearly extendable actuator is a hydraulic cylinder assembly.

11. The .[.bi-fold panel.]. .Iadd.multi-panel .Iaddend.door and frame assembly of claim .[.2.]. .Iadd.10.Iaddend., wherein the hydraulic cylinder .Iadd.assembly .Iaddend.includes a cylinder and piston rod and further .[.including.]. .Iadd.includes .Iaddend.a stop for limiting .[.the.]. extension of the piston from the cylinder.

12. A bi-fold panel door and mounting frame assembly for a rough opening in a building, comprising: a mounting frame assembly having a front .Iadd.surface .Iaddend.and .Iadd.a .Iaddend.back surface, mountable within a rough opening, the mounting frame assembly including a horizontal frame member and first and second vertical frame members secured to and extending downward from opposite ends of the horizontal frame member, and two hydraulic cylinder assembly upper support brackets.Iadd., wherein each of the hydraulic cylinder assembly upper support brackets are .Iaddend.secured .[.on opposite sides of.]. .Iadd.to .Iaddend.the back surface of the mounting frame assembly .Iadd.adjacent to the first and second vertical frame members, respectively, and each extends down relative to the horizontal frame member to provide a hydraulic cylinder assembly upper pivot axis that is beneath the horizontal frame member, and wherein the two hydraulic cylinder assembly upper support brackets are each configured .Iaddend.for pivotally engaging an upper end of a hydraulic cylinder assembly for rotation about a hydraulic cylinder assembly upper pivot axis; a bi-fold door having an upper panel pivotally secured to a bottom panel, each .Iadd.of the upper panel and bottom .Iaddend.panel having a front and back surface, the upper panel being pivotally secured at a top edge of the upper panel to the mounting frame horizontal .Iadd.frame .Iaddend.member for rotation about an upper panel pivot axis.Iadd., and wherein the back surface of the upper panel is associated with the back surface of the mounting frame assembly.Iaddend.; two hydraulic cylinder assembly lower support brackets secured to .[.an.]. .Iadd.and .Iaddend.extending .[.rearward.]. .Iadd.away .Iaddend.from the upper panel back surface .[.on opposite sides.]..Iadd., each configured .Iaddend.for pivotally engaging a lower end of a hydraulic cylinder assembly for rotation about a hydraulic cylinder assembly lower pivot axis; two hydraulic cylinder assemblies having extendable and retracting piston rods and an upper and lower end, each pivotally mounted by their respective upper ends to a hydraulic cylinder assembly upper support bracket and pivotally secured by their respective lower ends to a corresponding hydraulic cylinder assembly lower support bracket; and a hydraulic control assembly is fluid communication with the .Iadd.two .Iaddend.hydraulic cylinder .[.assembly.]. .Iadd.assemblies .Iaddend.to control extension and retraction of the hydraulic cylinder assembly piston .[.rod.]. .Iadd.rods .Iaddend.to move the door between .[.an.]. open and .[.a.]. closed .[.position.]. .Iadd.positions.Iaddend.; wherein the upper panel pivot axis and hydraulic cylinder assembly lower pivot axis form a plane and the hydraulic cylinder assembly upper and lower pivot axes form a plane and wherein the angle of intersection of these planes .[.remains.]. .Iadd.is .Iaddend.an acute angle .[.as the door is moved between an open and closed position.]. .Iadd.within a range of 0 to 13 degrees when the door is in a closed position and is an acute angle within a range of 12 to 25 degrees when the door is in an open position.Iaddend..

.[.13. The bi-fold panel door and mounting frame assembly of claim 12 wherein the acute angle formed by the planes fall in a range of 0 to 30 degrees when the door is in its closed position..].

.[.14. The bi-fold panel door and mounting frame assembly of claim 12 wherein the acute angle formed by the planes falls in a range of 5 to 35 degrees when the door is in its open position..].

.Iadd.15. The bi-fold panel door and mounting frame assembly of claim 12, wherein the angle of intersection is an acute angle of about 18 degrees when the door is in a partially open position..Iaddend.

.Iadd.16. A bi-fold panel door and mounting frame assembly for a rough opening in a building, comprising: a frame defining an opening, wherein the frame has a front and back surface, includes a horizontal frame member and first and second vertical frame members secured to and extending downward from opposite ends of the horizontal frame member, and is mountable within a rough opening; a bi-fold panel door having an upper panel and a lower panel, wherein: an upper end of the upper panel is pivotally connected to said horizontal frame member at an upper panel pivot axis; a lower end of the upper panel is pivotally connected to an upper end of the lower panel; and the lower panel comprises one or more rollers extending laterally away from the lower panel into operative engagement with one or more complementary roller guides associated with the frame; a hydraulic cylinder assembly comprising a cylinder and a piston rod, wherein an upper connection point associated with the cylinder is pivotally connected to a first bracket that defines a first pivot point positioned inside the frame-defined opening and beneath the horizontal frame member, and a lower connection point associated with the piston rod is pivotally connected to a second bracket that defines a second pivot point, the second bracket being mounted to the upper panel; a hydraulic control assembly in fluid communication with the hydraulic cylinder assembly to control extension and retraction of the hydraulic cylinder assembly piston rod to move the door between an open and a closed position; wherein first bracket is secured on or adjacent to the first vertical frame member; and wherein an angle defined by the piston rod and a plane defined by the upper panel pivot axis and the said second pivot point is an acute angle within a range of 0 to 13 degrees when the door is in a closed position and is an acute angle within a range of 12 to 25 degrees when the door is in an open position..Iaddend.

.Iadd.17. A bi-fold panel door and mounting frame assembly for a rough opening in a building, comprising: a frame defining an opening, wherein the frame has a front and back surface, includes a horizontal frame member and first and second vertical frame members secured to and extending downward from opposite ends of the horizontal frame member, and is mountable within a rough opening; a bi-fold panel door having an upper panel and a lower panel, wherein: a lower end of the upper panel is pivotally connected to an upper end of the lower panel; and the lower panel comprises one or more rollers extending laterally away from the lower panel into operative engagement with one or more complementary roller guides associated with the frame; a hydraulic cylinder assembly comprising a cylinder and a piston rod, wherein an upper connection point associated with the cylinder is pivotally connected to a first bracket that defines a first pivot point positioned inside the frame-defined opening and beneath the horizontal frame member, and a lower connection point associated with the piston rod is pivotally connected to a second bracket that defines a second pivot point, the second bracket being mounted to the upper panel; a hydraulic control assembly in fluid communication with the hydraulic cylinder assembly to control extension and retraction of the hydraulic cylinder assembly piston rod to move the door between an open and a closed position; wherein the first bracket is secured on or adjacent to the first vertical frame member; and wherein an angle defined by the piston rod and a plane defined by the upper panel pivot axis and the said second pivot point is an acute angle of about 7.8 degrees when the door is in a closed position and is an acute angle of about 15.8 degrees when the door is in an open position..Iaddend.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The invention will be better understood when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein:

(2) FIG. 1 is a front view of one preferred embodiment of the door assembly of the present invention;

(3) FIG. 1A is a view of FIG. 1 taken along line A-A;

(4) FIG. 1B is a view of FIG. 1 taken along line B-B;

(5) FIG. 1C is a view of FIG. 1 taken along line C-C;

(6) FIG. 2 is a perspective view of one preferred embodiment of a mounting frame of the present invention;

(7) FIG. 2A is a perspective view of one preferred embodiment of a door of the present invention;

(8) FIG. 2B is a perspective view of one preferred embodiment of a door and mounting frame of the present invention;

(9) FIG. 3 is a front view of a second preferred (larger) embodiment of the door assembly of the present invention mounted in a building doorway with the door in an closed position;

(10) FIG. 3A is a front view of a second preferred (larger) embodiment of the door assembly of the present invention mounted in a building doorway with the door in a open position;

(11) FIG. 4 is a front view of one preferred embodiment of the door of the present invention;

(12) FIG. 5 is a side view of the door assembly of one preferred embodiment of the present invention with the door in its open position;

(13) FIG. 6 is a side view of one preferred embodiment of the door assembly of the present invention with the door in its closed position, showing one example of the dimensions and angular relationships of the door components;

(14) FIG. 6A is a side view of one preferred embodiment of the door assembly of the present invention with the door in its open position, showing one example of the dimensions and angular relationships of the door components;

(15) FIG. 7 is a rear (interior) view of a second preferred (larger) embodiment of a door assembly of the present invention, with the door in its dosed position, illustrating the orientation of the cylinder mounted between the vertical mounting frame members and the upper panel; and

(16) FIG. 8 is a rear (interior) view of a second preferred (larger) embodiment of a door assembly of the present invention with the door in its open position, illustrating the orientation of the cylinder mounted between the vertical mounting frame members and the upper panel.

DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

(17) Although the present disclosure is described in connection with exemplary embodiments, the present disclosure is not intended to be limited to the specific forms set forth herein. Other embodiments not disclosed or directly discussed are also considered to be within the scope and spirit of the invention. It is understood that various omissions and substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstances may suggest or render expedient, but these are intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims of the present disclosure. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

(18) The terms first, second, and the like, herein do not denote any order, quantity, or importance, but rather are used to distinguish one element from another, and the terms a and an herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced item.

(19) The present invention, as shown at 10 in FIG. 1, is a hydraulic operated top pivotally mounted (overhead) door assembly for an external or internal building doorway and has application for residential, commercial, industrial or industrial structures. In one preferred embodiment, the hydraulic operated door assembly includes a three-sided mounting frame 20, a multi-panel door 30 and at least one hydraulic cylinder assembly 40 (which is the combination of a hydraulic cylinder and piston of a type well known in the art) for moving the door 30 between an open and closed position. The door entire assembly 10 is mounted within the rough opening of a building.

(20) For exemplary purposes only, and not by way of limitation, the door assembly 10 will be described using a bi-fold door (the door) and two hydraulic cylinder assemblies, even though multiple door panels and any number of hydraulic cylinder assemblies are anticipated with the present invention. Further, other components and features, such as alarms, sensors, windows and doors-within-a-door can also be used with the invention and should be considered to be within the spirit and scope of the invention.

(21) Referring to FIG. 2, the mounting frame 20 includes a top horizontal frame member 22 and first and second vertical frame members 24 and 26. A top end 24T of first vertical frame member 24 is secured at one end of the top horizontal frame member 22 and a top end 26T of second vertical frame member 26 is secured to an opposite end of the top horizontal frame member 22.

(22) When installed in a rough opening 50 (FIG. 3A) of a building or structure 52, as shown in FIG. 3, the top horizontal frame member 22 is secured to a header 54 of a building rough opening the first and second vertical frame members 24 and 26 are secured to rough opening side jambs 56 and 58, respectively. An optional bottom horizontal member may be secured to a floor 59 of the building 52.

(23) One skilled in the art will understand that the frame or door support 20 can be secured to the structure or ground by numerous techniques and devices such that those suggested herein would not be considered limiting. One skilled in the art will also appreciate that the mounting frame or door support 20 can be made from any type of material including steel plating that is either welded together or coupled together with any type of fastener. The mounting frame or door support 20 can also be manufactured from other light, generally rigid, materials such as aluminum or other composite materials.

(24) Roller guide tracks or channels 60 are formed in or installed on surfaces of the first and second vertical frame members 24 and 26, respectively, to receive rollers carried by the bi-fold door 30 to guide movement of the door as it is opened and closed as shown in FIG. 2. Positioned on opposite top corners of the back side of the mounting frame are hydraulic cylinder supports 100 for pivotally engaging one end of a hydraulic cylinder assembly.

(25) As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the bi-fold door 30 has a top or upper panel 32 and lower panel 34 horizontally pivotally coupled together. A top edge 32T of the upper panel 32 of the bi fold door 30 is horizontally pivotally secured to the top horizontal frame member 22 of the door frame 20. In one embodiment of the invention, barrel hinges 36 are used to pivotally connect the upper panel 32 to the horizontal frame member 22 of the mounting frame 20, although other types of hinges can be utilized to pivotally attach the upper panel 32 to the horizontal frame member 22. Hinges 36 can be spaced at desired intervals along the top edge 32T of the upper panel 32.

(26) Similarly, a top edge 34T of lower panel 34 is pivotally secured to a lower or bottom edge 32B of the upper panel 32 by hinges 38. As with hinges 36, hinges 38 can be spaced at desired intervals along the top edge 34T of the lower panel 34. One skilled in the art will understand that the placement of the hinges 36 and 38 can be varied to maximize the strength and integrity of the bi-fold door 30 on the mounting frame 20.

(27) As shown in FIG. 1B, the lower panel 34 includes at least one pair of rollers 62 disposed proximate a lower edge 34B of the lower panel 34 of the door 30, which extend laterally into operative engagement with roller guides or guide tracks 60 to guide movement of the lower panel as the door 30 is opened and closed. In one embodiment, the tracks 60 are formed by attaching an angled member 64 to the first and second vertical frame members 24 and 26. The angled member 64 should have a length at least equal to a height that the rollers are expected to travel along the track 60 when the door 30 moves between the closed position and opened positions.

(28) In one embodiment, the upper panel 32 and the lower panel 34 have the same dimensions such as height and length. In other embodiments, the upper panel 32 and the lower panel 34 have different dimensions such as different heights. In other embodiments, additional panels can be added as part of door 30.

(29) As shown in FIG. 4, the bi-fold door panels are comprised of a frame having a plurality of generally vertical door frame members 46 and a plurality of generally horizontal door frame members 47 that are connected by means known to one skilled in the art such as screws, bolts, and adhesives and/or welding. The vertical door frame members 46 and the horizontal door frame members 47 create a grid to which a skin is attached. The skin can comprise individual panels such as aluminum, steel, glass, wood, plastic and/or insulating material. This listing of materials should be considered an example listing and thus not limiting.

(30) As shown in FIG. 1C, the top and bottom panels have a front (exterior facing) surface 42 and a back (interior facing) surface 44, Two cylinder supports 72 are mounted on opposite sides of the back (interior facing) surface 44 of the upper panel 32 (best viewed in FIG. 2A). The door hydraulic cylinder support 72 is generally located near the middle of a side edge of the upper panel 32 as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, but may be adjusted to a location that provides the greatest mechanical advantage within the bounds of the present invention, Hydraulic cylinder support 72 is secured to the door 30 by known means, such as welding or fasteners such as screws or bolts.

(31) The hydraulic cylinder support 72 can be solid or a skeletal frame extending from the back side of the upper panel 32 to position the cylinder mount in a preferred spaced relation with the upper panel 32. The cylinder support can he made of any material that can bear the stresses imposed on it by repeated opening and closing of the door 30.

(32) The door is opened and closed by a hydraulic control system 90 (shown in FIGS. 7 and 8) known in the art that in one preferred embodiment includes two hydraulic cylinder assemblies 40. The two hydraulic cylinder assemblies 40 are, in one preferred embodiment, positioned on opposite sides of the door 30. Each hydraulic cylinder assembly 40 is pivotally mounted by a first end 96 to a frame hydraulic cylinder support 100 and is further pivotally mounted at a second end 98 to a door hydraulic cylinder support 72. The hydraulic cylinder supports are located roughly midpoint of the height of the upper panel, although other locations are possible. Although the door and frame hydraulic cylinder supports are described in one preferred embodiment as being located on opposite sides of the upper panel 32, for large doors, more hydraulic cylinder assemblies and supports may be required. These additional hydraulic cylinder assemblies and cylinder supports may be added at desired spacing along the width of the door 30.

(33) When the pistons are in the retracted position, the door is moved to a closed position as shown in FIG. 1C; when the pistons are in the extended position, the door is moved to an open position, as shown in FIG. 5.

(34) If power to the hydraulic control system fails, a system operator can manually actuate a control valve to slowly lower the door 30 from the open position toward the closed position. Additionally, in one embodiment, hydraulic control system 90 can be operated by a DC backup system. Other safety components and features are also possible and should be considered to be within the spirit and scope of the invention.

(35) In use, the manifold can control the flow of fluid into the hydraulic cylinder assemblies 40. The fluid forces a piston rod to move from the retracted position toward the extended position. As the piston rod moves toward the extended position, a central portion of the bi-fold door 30, where the upper panel 32 and the lower panel 34 are pivotally coupled together, moves outwardly away from the rough opening 50. As the piston rod continues toward its extended position, the upper panel 32 is lifted upwardly causing the rollers 62 connected to the lower panel 34 to travel upward in channels 60.

(36) When the piston rod reaches its permitted outermost extended position, the upper panel 32 and the lower panel 34 form a wedge with the opening 140 as shown at FIG. 2A.

(37) Referring to FIG. 6, the pivot axis of the upper panel 32, where it is connected to the top horizontal frame member 22 (the door pivot axis), is shown at 150. The pivot axis of the first end 96 of hydraulic cylinder assembly 40 (cylinder upper pivot axis) is shown at 152. This cylinder first end pivot axis is behind and lower than the door pivot axis 150. The pivot axis of the second end 98 of hydraulic cylinder assembly 40 (the cylinder lower pivot axis) is shown at 154 and is below and behind the cylinder upper pivot axis 152 when door 20 is in its closed position.

(38) As shown in FIGS. 6 and 6A, the door pivot axis 150 and cylinder lower pivot axis 154 lie in a plane identified as D-D; the cylinder upper and lower pivot axes, 152 and 154 respectively, lie in a plane defined by the line E-E. The intersection of lines D-D and E-E form an acute angle 158 (the cylinder angle of orientation).

(39) As stated above, the pivot axis of the second end 98 of hydraulic cylinder assembly 40 is below and behind the cylinder upper pivot axis 152 when door 20 is in its closed position; thus, the hydraulic cylinder assembly is angled away from the back (interior facing) surface 44 of door 30 as measured from pivot axis 152. The force applied by the hydraulic cylinder assembly 40 to the hydraulic cylinder support 72 causes the upper panel 32 to rotate outward from the door frame 20 as the piston rod is extended from the cylinder. The cylinder angle of orientation 158 remains at an acute angle as the cylinder rotates with the opening of the door, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 6A.

(40) By way of example, one preferred embodiment of the invention, as shown in FIG. 6, is a door sized to fit within a 12 foot six inch high rough opening, where the upper and lower panels have approximately the same dimension, The pivot axes angles and critical distances of this exemplary door are as follows:

(41) WW, the vertical distance between the upper panel/frame pivot axis 150 and the cylinder upper pivot axis 152 is 12 inches;

(42) YY, the horizontal distance between the upper panel pivot axis 150 and the cylinder upper pivot axis 152 is 6.5 inches;

(43) XX, the vertical distance between the upper panel/frame pivot axis 150 and the cylinder lower pivot axis 154 is 43.5 inches; and

(44) ZZ, the horizontal distance between the upper panel/frame pivot axis 150 and the cylinder lower pivot axis 154 is 8.5 inches,

(45) In this embodiment, the cylinder angle of orientation, when the door is in its closed position, as shown in FIG. 6, can range from 0 to 30 degrees. The cylinder angle of orientation when the door is in its open position, as shown in FIG. 6A, can range from 5 to 35 degrees.

(46) Although wider and narrower angles of orientation are anticipated by the present invention, in one preferred embodiment, the cylinder angle of orientation remains relatively small throughout the door opening process, starting at about 7.8 degrees when the door is in the closed position, to about a high of about 18 degrees as the door is partially open to 15.8 degrees when the door is in the fully open position.

(47) The doors of the present invention can be constructed of larger or small size, if the component orientation is maintained as described above. This orientation can be maintained by spacing the cylinder lower pivot axis of rotation 154 sufficiently from the back (interior facing) surface 44 of the door 30 to orient the hydraulic cylinder assembly as described above. Of course, proportionately smaller and larger doors require proportionately small and larger cylinders to maintain the proper configuration of the door components.

(48) In another preferred embodiment, the first end 96 of the hydraulic cylinder assembly 40 is attached over center of the cylinder support 72.

(49) Other configurations of a door hydraulic cylinder support 72 are possible, by way of example, a triangular or rectangular truss extending along part or all of the upper panel height. However, if other configurations of the cylinder support are utilized, the cylinder may need to be attached to one side of the cylinder support to avoid operational interference.

(50) This disclosed configuration of the cylinder support and orientation of the hydraulic cylinder assemblies facilitates use of a short hydraulic cylinder assembly with reduced rod extension to open and close the door. The cylinder support further provides strength to the door. Further, the mechanical advantage provided by the orientation of the hydraulic cylinder assemblies permits the doors to be opened with greater ease and to support greater weight. This allows the doors to be made of heavier material, such as glass. Glass doors are particularly attractive in store front or interior strip mall settings, where space in front of a door is limited, lateral space does not exist because of adjoining shops and viewing of merchandise behind the door is desired.

(51) As shown in FIG. 6A, in the door open position, the hydraulic cylinder assemblies 40 extend generally horizontally outward from the door opening.

(52) Because the hydraulic cylinder assemblies are secured to the mounting frame and not the building, the load forces created from opening and closing the door are better distributed throughout the mounting frame, resulting in less wear and tear on the building structure. Additionally, the self-framed door system is easy to install in a rough opening.

(53) The invention may be embodied in these and other specific forms without departing from the spirit or attributes thereof, and it is therefore desired that the embodiments be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, reference being made to the appended claims rather than to the foregoing description to indicate the scope of the invention.