Bi-fold Door Stop

Abstract

A bi-fold door stop controls movement and travel of lead and pivot doors in a set of vertically hung bi-fold doors. The bi-fold door stop has at least two non-parallel surfaces that each may act upon one or both of the lead and pivot door stiles to limit movement in two directions. Movement transverse to the track longitudinal axis is limited when the bi-fold door is either fully open or fully closed, while parallel movement is controlled by limiting the extent that the bi-fold door may be opened. At least two non-parallel surfaces are provided that each may act upon one or more of the lead and pivot door stiles, while an additional surface may act upon the face of the pivot door. The bi-fold door stop may be fabricated as a single part using common molding operations, and acts directly on the door panels, thereby preserving bi-fold door hardware.

Claims

1. A bi-fold door stop, comprising: a supporting plate generally defining a first generally planar surface; a second generally planar surface extending from said supporting plate in a plane generally perpendicular to said first generally planar surface, said second generally planar surface configured to engage with a bi-fold door stile; and a third generally planar surface extending from said supporting plate in a plane generally perpendicular to said first generally planar surface and also generally perpendicular to said second generally planar surface, said third generally planar surface configured to engage with said bi-fold door stile.

2. The bi-fold door stop of claim 1, further comprising a fourth generally planar surface extending in a plane generally parallel to and offset from said second generally planar surface.

3. The bi-fold door stop of claim 2, further comprising a fifth generally planar surface extending in a plane generally parallel to and offset from said third generally planar surface and offset therefrom by said fourth generally planar surface.

4. The bi-fold door stop of claim 3, further comprising a sixth generally planar surface extending coplanar with said second generally planar surface and offset therefrom by said fourth generally planar surface.

5. The bi-fold door stop of claim 4, further comprising an arcuate extension coupled with an edge of said sixth generally planar surface distal to said fourth generally planar surface and extending therefrom more distally from said fourth generally planar surface and more distally from a plane defined by said fourth generally planar surface.

6. The bi-fold door stop of claim 1, wherein said second and third generally planar surfaces intersect and are affixed together at said intersection.

7. The bi-fold door stop of claim 5, wherein: said second and third generally planar surfaces intersect and are affixed together at said second and third generally planar surface intersection; said third and fourth generally planar surfaces intersect and are affixed together at said third and fourth generally planar surface intersection; said fourth and fifth generally planar surfaces intersect and are affixed together at said fourth and fifth generally planar surface intersection; and said fifth and sixth generally planar surfaces intersect and are affixed together at said fifth and sixth generally planar surface intersection.

8. The bi-fold door stop of claim 7, wherein said fourth, fifth, and sixth generally planar surfaces each extend from and are rigidly affixed to said supporting plate.

9. The bi-fold door stop of claim 1, further comprising a means for affixing said supporting plate to a static structure.

10. The bi-fold door stop of claim 1, wherein static structure further comprises a head jamb and said affixing means further comprises at least one hole passing entirely through said supporting plate.

11. In combination, a bi-fold door and a bi-fold door stop operative to safely limit the movement of said bi-fold door, said bi-fold door having: a bi-fold door track; a lead door; a guide pin affixed to said lead door and configured to slide within said bi-fold door track; a pivot door; a pivot pin anchored with respect to said bi-fold door track and affixed to said pivot door; a hinge coupling said lead door to said pivot door; and at least of said lead door and said pivot door having a door stile; said bi-fold door stop having: a first bi-fold door stile stop configured to engage with and thereby limit travel of said door stile in a first travel direction; and a second bi-fold door stile stop configured to engage with and thereby limit travel of said door stile in a second travel direction generally perpendicular to said first travel direction.

12. The combination bi-fold door and bi-fold door stop of claim 11, wherein said first and second bi-fold door stile stops each comprise a generally planar surface operative to engage with and thereby block travel of said bi-fold pivot door stile, said first bi-fold door stile stop planar surface substantially perpendicular to said second bi-fold door stile stop planar surface.

13. The combination bi-fold door and bi-fold door stop of claim 11, wherein said door stile comprises a component of said pivot door.

14. The combination bi-fold door and bi-fold door stop of claim 13, further comprising: a lead door stile comprising a component of said lead door; a third bi-fold door stile stop configured to engage with and thereby limit travel of said lead door stile in a third travel direction; and a fourth bi-fold door stile stop configured to engage with and thereby limit travel of said lead door stile in a fourth travel direction generally perpendicular to said third travel direction.

15. The combination bi-fold door and bi-fold door stop of claim 14, further comprising a between-doors spacer intermediate between said at least one of said first and second bi-fold door stile stops and at least one of said third and fourth bi-fold door stile stops, said between-doors spacer configured to engage with and thereby limit travel of said pivot door when said bi-fold door is in a closed position.

16. The combination bi-fold door and bi-fold door stop of claim 15, wherein said between-doors spacer further comprises a plate perpendicular to and rigidly affixed with said second and third bi-fold door stile stops, said plate generally parallel to and offset from said first and fourth bi-fold door stile stops.

17. A method of protecting a bi-fold door mounted within a static structure, having at least a lead door panel and a pivot door panel, and moving along a path defined by a longitudinally extensive bi-fold door track from at least some damage-inducing movements, comprising the steps of: applying a first force between at least one of said bi-fold door panels and said static structure responsive to and countering a perpendicular force applied to at least one of said bi-fold door panels in a first direction perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of said bi-fold door track; and inducing a second force between at least one of said bi-fold door panels and said static structure responsive to and countering a parallel force applied to at least one of said bi-fold door panels in a second direction parallel to said bi-fold door track through said bi-fold door panels into said static structure when said lead door panel is at a position of movement most proximal to said pivot door panel and said parallel force is tending to bring said lead door panel and a pivot door panel closer together.

18. The method of protecting a bi-fold door of claim 17, wherein said step of applying a first force further comprises applying said first force when said bi-fold door is in a fully open position.

19. The method of protecting a bi-fold door of claim 17, wherein said step of applying a first force further comprises applying said first force when said bi-fold door is in a fully closed position.

20. The method of protecting a bi-fold door of claim 17, wherein said step of inducing a second force further comprises inducing said second force when said bi-fold door is in a fully open position.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] The foregoing and other objects, advantages, and novel features of the present invention can be understood and appreciated by reference to the following detailed description of the invention, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0026] FIG. 1 illustrates a preferred embodiment bi-fold door stop designed in accord with the teachings of the present invention from a bottom, primarily front projected view.

[0027] FIG. 2 illustrates the preferred embodiment bi-fold door stop of FIG. 1 from a bottom plan view.

[0028] FIG. 3 illustrates the preferred embodiment bi-fold door stop of FIG. 1 from a bottom, primarily rear projected view.

[0029] FIG. 4 illustrates the preferred embodiment bi-fold door stop of FIG. 1 from a top plan view.

[0030] FIG. 5 illustrates the preferred embodiment bi-fold door stop of FIG. 1 in further combination with an open bi-fold door from a bottom plan view.

[0031] FIG. 6 illustrates the preferred embodiment bi-fold door stop of FIG. 1 in further combination with a closed bi-fold door from a bottom plan view.

[0032] FIG. 7 illustrates the preferred embodiment bi-fold door stop of FIG. 1 in further combination with an open bi-fold door from a bottom, primarily rear projected view.

[0033] FIG. 8 illustrates the preferred embodiment bi-fold door stop of FIG. 1 in further combination with a pair of impact absorption pads from a bottom, primarily front projected view.

[0034] FIGS. 9-12 illustrate a first alternative embodiment bi-fold door stop designed in accord with the teachings of the present invention and in further combination with a pivot pin brace from bottom isometric, bottom and back projected, side elevational, and bottom plan views, respectively.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0035] FIGS. 1-4 illustrate a preferred embodiment bi-fold door stop 10 from front projected, bottom plan, rear projected, and top plan views, respectively. Preferred embodiment bi-fold door stop 10 is configured to be mounted in a doorway head jamb adjacent to exemplary prior art bi-fold door track 4. Preferred embodiment bi-fold door stop 10 includes a supporting plate 30 having a number of mounting holes 16 passing therethrough, some of which may be elongated to allow repositioning. Mounting holes 16 facilitate fastening to a static structure such as a beam, stud, wall or other components thereof for secure anchoring. While mounting holes 16 are preferred as being both intuitive and easily fabricated, in alternative embodiments other known methods of fastening to a static structure are considered incorporated herein.

[0036] A number of primary functioning structures project downward from and are supported by supporting plate 30. Among these are preferably a lead door opening stopper plate 14 and pivot door opening stopper plate 18, each having a plate geometry which approximately define a plane generally transverse to the longitudinal axis of bi-fold door track 4. The amount of separation between lead door opening stopper plate 14 and pivot door opening stopper plate 18 is determined in significant part by the dimensions of between-doors spacer 12.

[0037] In addition to lead door opening stopper plate 14 and pivot door opening stopper plate 18 that are operative in a plane generally transverse to the longitudinal axis of bi-fold door track 4, there are also two rotation stopper plates operative in a plane generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of bi-fold door track 4. These are lead door rotation stopper plate 15 and pivot door rotation stopper plate 19.

[0038] While there are a myriad of possible geometries for the supporting structure that provides rigidity to these primary functioning structures, in preferred embodiment bi-fold door stop 10 this is achieved by providing a structure resembling three U-shaped or three-sided channel members, as best visible in FIGS. 2 and 3. Within each of these channels, a mounting screw hole 16 may conveniently be provided. The channel geometry helps to ensure that tools used to install preferred embodiment bi-fold door stop 10 do not accidentally contact and damage surrounding building structure such as walls, ceiling or doorway. In addition, the channels reduce the total materials required in the fabrication of preferred embodiment bi-fold door stop 10. Further, when plastic materials are used in the fabrication of preferred embodiment bi-fold door stop 10, such as by molding, casting, or the like, uneven shrinkage and cracking that may commonly occur with varying thicknesses of materials may be avoided. Nevertheless, in alternative embodiments, one or more of the between-doors spacer 12; lead door opening stopper plate 14; lead door rotation stopper plate 15; pivot door opening stopper plate 18; pivot door rotation stopper plate 19; and supporting plate 30 may have different or even non-planar geometries. For exemplary and non-limiting purposes, in the case of a casting or molding of suitable material, these may instead be much thicker and more solid structures, adding more weight and material but also adding strength to the resulting structure. In other alternative embodiments, the surface may not be entirely planar. For exemplary and non-limiting purposes the surfaces may have significant texture, porosity, uneven or inconsistent geometry or the like, the desirability which may depend greatly upon the materials used in the fabrication of preferred embodiment bi-fold door stop 10. Again for exemplary purposes, a diamond-patterned rubber surface may still provide adequate stopping forces, while resembling the planar surface defined by foam impact absorption pads 51, 52 described herein below. In alternative embodiments these surfaces may also be provided with desirable coatings, treatments, laminations, or other surface features. In preferred embodiment bi-fold door stop 10, these surfaces will most preferably match or mate with the corresponding surfaces of the door components with which they engage. In most instances, the door stiles with which these surfaces will engage are planar, and consequently a most preferred geometry is either planar, or at least not likely to damage the door stile surfaces under reasonable circumstances.

[0039] FIGS. 5-7 illustrate preferred embodiment bi-fold door stop 10 in combination with an exemplary prior art bi-fold door track 4, lead door 6, and pivot door 8.

[0040] Visible in FIG. 5, arrow 11 illustrates the travel direction of guide pin 22 as the bi-fold door is opened. As may be apparent, guide pin 22 will impact top pivot bracket 24 absent interaction with the present invention. However, with preferred embodiment bi-fold door stop 10 anchored to the ceiling or other structural support adjacent to door track 4, the stile of lead door 6 will come into contact with lead door opening stopper plate 14 and the stile of pivot door 8 will come into contact with pivot door opening stopper plate 18, each prior to guide pin 22 impacting top pivot bracket 24. Since contact with either of the opening stopper plates 14, 18 will be effective at preventing guide pin 22 impacting pivot bracket 24, even if there is a slight amount of torque in the bi-fold door, preferred embodiment bi-fold door stop 10 will still prevent unwanted damage. Furthermore, in the case of an extreme overload, between-doors spacer 12 will simply be put in compression, and, with appropriate and reasonable selection of materials, can withstand very substantial forces.

[0041] FIG. 5 also illustrates the rotation 13 of lead door 6 and pivot door 8 around an axis defined by the pivotal axis of pivot pin 20, and the direction 17 that guide pin 22 moves under this condition. As may be apparent, this is perpendicular to the proper direction 21 that lead door moves during closing. Preferred embodiment bi-fold door stop 10 prevents or at least limits this movement to an acceptable amount. At the time of installation of preferred embodiment bi-fold door stop 10, it will be important to limit the gap between the stile of lead door 6 and lead door rotation stopper plate 15, and also to limit the gap between the stile of pivot door 8 and pivot door rotation stopper plate 19 to a distance that can safely be accommodated by the play in pivot pin 20 and guide pin 22 and by door track 4. This will, of course, vary somewhat depending upon the particular pin and track constructions, but will be easily accommodated by aligning components as illustrated in FIG. 6.

[0042] FIG. 6 illustrates pivot door 8 in the closed position, where it will then be aligned in a parallel plane with between-doors spacer 12. As a result, if pivot door 8 or lead door 6 is accidentally pushed when the bi-fold door is closed, between-doors spacer 12 will prevent bi-fold track 4 from being inadvertently damaged. In other words, between-doors spacer 12 serves a several important functions. An optional magnet 36 is illustrated as embedded in between-doors spacer 12, to act on an optional ferrous or equivalent plate 37 attached to pivot door 8, and hole the door in a closed position. FIG. 7 illustrates preferred embodiment bi-fold door stop 10 in location with the bi-fold door in an open position similar to FIG. 5, but from a projected view rather than bottom plan view. Again from these Figures it is apparent that guide pin 22 is prevented from impacting pivot bracket 24, and movement of lead door 6 in a direction approximately perpendicular to bi-fold door track 4 is prevented.

[0043] FIG. 8 illustrates preferred embodiment bi-fold door stop 10 in further combination with impact absorption pads 51, 52 that may, for exemplary purposes only and not solely limiting the present invention thereto, comprise elastomeric material such as a natural or synthetic foam rubber. As already noted herein above, the stile of lead door 6 will come into contact with lead door opening stopper plate 14 and the stile of pivot door 8 will come into contact with pivot door opening stopper plate 18, each prior to guide pin 22 impacting top pivot bracket 24. While these will be effective at preventing guide pin 22 impacting pivot bracket 24, the incorporation of impact absorption pads 51, 52 will soften that impact even further, not only reducing the likelihood of damage, but also rendering the hardware more silent in operation.

[0044] Noteworthy here is the slight curvature of the interface between lead door rotation stopper plate 15 and generally vertical outside wall 29, and the similar curvature of the interface between pivot door rotation stopper plate 19 and generally vertical outside wall 29. This curvature is not only aesthetic, but also helps to ensure that, even in the event of a sloppy set of pivot and guide pins20, 22 and loose track 4, there will be no unwanted interference and instead the stiles of lead door 6 and pivot door 8 will be gracefully guided into proper contact with lead door rotation stopper plate 15 and pivot door rotation stopper plate 19.

[0045] Various embodiments of apparatus designed in accord with the present invention have been illustrated in FIGS. 1-8 and in FIGS. 9-12. The embodiments are distinguished by the hundreds digit, and various components within each embodiment designated by the ones and tens digits. However, many of the components are alike or similar between embodiments, so numbering of the ones and tens digits have been maintained wherever possible, such that identical, like or similar functions may more readily be identified between the embodiments. If not otherwise expressed, those skilled in the art will readily recognize the similarities and understand that in many cases like numbered ones and tens digit components may be substituted from one embodiment to another in accord with the present teachings, except where such substitution would otherwise destroy operation of the embodiment. Consequently, those skilled in the art will readily determine the function and operation of many of the components illustrated herein without unnecessary additional description.

[0046] Alternative embodiment bi-fold door stop 110 particularly differs from preferred embodiment bi-fold door stop 10 in the geometry of vertical outside wall 129 of pivot door rotation stopper plate 119, which is far more vertical than the counterpart generally vertical outside wall 29. This allows a pivot pin brace 154 having clip hooks 156, 158 to be coupled between vertical outside wall 129 and pivot pin 120, providing a substantial improvement in strength and durability.

[0047] Other embodiments of a bi-fold door stop may use mechanisms to hold the door in the closed position which may include magnets, clasp or other means similar to or alternatively to those illustrated herein in FIG. 6. The mechanisms, or devices comprising the bi-fold door stop, or combination thereof may be located and installed on the doorway head jamb adjacent to the track, on the pivot jamb wall, or on the floor, or doorway threshold. The mechanism or device may be mounted on the track independently of the standard bi-fold track hardware, or might be incorporated into the standard bi-fold track hardware as a component part of the top pivot bracket or other hardware part. Other embodiments may use cushioning, pads, or springs to absorb the impact of the door panels on the bi-fold door stop. Surfaces of the bi-fold door stop may be smoothed or hardened to reduce wear and friction. Plates or other reinforcement may be affixed to the door panels to reduce wear from contact with the bi-fold door stop. The bi-fold door stop may be manufactured from a variety of materials, such as but not limited to plastic, metal, natural and synthetic rubbers, composites, and laminates. Other embodiments may use a variety of mounting and anchoring methods, including but not limited to mounting screws 26 as illustrated herein in FIGS. 5-7, or bolts, clamps, sub supporting plate, adhesive, epoxy, or other suitable fasteners. Other embodiments may include a mechanism to move lead door 6 from its fully open position to a slightly closed position where the hinges cannot be rotated ahead of guide pin 22.

[0048] While the foregoing details what is felt to be the preferred embodiment of the invention, no material limitations to the scope of the claimed invention are intended. Further, features and design alternatives that would be obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art are considered to be incorporated herein. The scope of the invention is set forth and particularly described in the claims herein below.