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WO2001094731A1 - Dispositif et procede d'equilibrage de porte a enroulement - Google Patents

Dispositif et procede d'equilibrage de porte a enroulement Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2001094731A1
WO2001094731A1 PCT/US2000/015511 US0015511W WO0194731A1 WO 2001094731 A1 WO2001094731 A1 WO 2001094731A1 US 0015511 W US0015511 W US 0015511W WO 0194731 A1 WO0194731 A1 WO 0194731A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
spring
anchor plate
torsion shaft
shaft
counterbalancing
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2000/015511
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Edward Dorma
Original Assignee
Industrial Door Co., Inc.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Industrial Door Co., Inc. filed Critical Industrial Door Co., Inc.
Priority to AU2000254657A priority Critical patent/AU2000254657A1/en
Priority to PCT/US2000/015511 priority patent/WO2001094731A1/fr
Publication of WO2001094731A1 publication Critical patent/WO2001094731A1/fr

Links

Classifications

    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E05—LOCKS; KEYS; WINDOW OR DOOR FITTINGS; SAFES
    • E05D—HINGES OR SUSPENSION DEVICES FOR DOORS, WINDOWS OR WINGS
    • E05D13/00—Accessories for sliding or lifting wings, e.g. pulleys, safety catches
    • E05D13/10—Counterbalance devices
    • E05D13/12—Counterbalance devices with springs
    • E05D13/1253—Counterbalance devices with springs with canted-coil torsion springs
    • E05D13/1261—Counterbalance devices with springs with canted-coil torsion springs specially adapted for overhead wings
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E05—LOCKS; KEYS; WINDOW OR DOOR FITTINGS; SAFES
    • E05Y—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES E05D AND E05F, RELATING TO CONSTRUCTION ELEMENTS, ELECTRIC CONTROL, POWER SUPPLY, POWER SIGNAL OR TRANSMISSION, USER INTERFACES, MOUNTING OR COUPLING, DETAILS, ACCESSORIES, AUXILIARY OPERATIONS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, APPLICATION THEREOF
    • E05Y2900/00—Application of doors, windows, wings or fittings thereof
    • E05Y2900/10—Application of doors, windows, wings or fittings thereof for buildings or parts thereof
    • E05Y2900/106—Application of doors, windows, wings or fittings thereof for buildings or parts thereof for garages

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to torsion spring counterbalancing mechanisms for compensating the weight of roll-up doors. More particularly, the present invention relates to a faster, safer, and easier apparatus and method for loading the coil torsion spring of roll-up doors.
  • Roll-up doors commonly referred to as overhead garage doors, typically use counterbalancing mechanisms incorporating coil springs placed under a rotational or torsion force to apply a lifting force to the door.
  • the springs are concentrically positioned about a shaft rotatably mounted on fixed supports.
  • the shaft carries hubs accommodating cables. The cables are attached to the door so that when the hubs are rotated, a lifting force will be applied to the door. The lifting force is transmitted to the hubs via the shaft by the torsion springs.
  • torsion springs used in door counterbalancing mechanisms have adjacent coils that engage or abut one another when the spring is in its normal unwound resting state. There is no gap between adjacent coils. During the winding process of a torsion coil spring, friction forces are generated between adjacent coils of the spring.
  • Votroubek et al. utilizes a tool with a self-locking worm drive gear and worm wheel which can be put into place about the torsion shaft to effect a gripping of an end collar for connecting the spring to the torsion shaft. After the collar is gripped, the end collar is released from the shaft for movement along the rotation about the torsion shaft.
  • the tool is mounted on the torsion shaft and blocked against rotation about the torsion shaft in a manner to allow the tool to move axially on the torsion shaft, as the spring is wound, to accommodate the growth of the spring during winding.
  • the springs would be wound and unwound separately with the tool being used to wind the outer-end of each spring.
  • the Votroubek et al. tool lessens danger, as compared to the conventional use of a lever bar for winding or unwinding a spring, the spring end is still held by a tool which is separate from the hardware of the counterbalancing mechanism and which must be assembled and disassembled to the counterbalancing mechanism for each winding, unwinding or adjustment of a torsion spring.
  • This tool also must be securely blocked against rotation as a whole about the axis of the torsion rod each time a spring end is to be wound or unwound.
  • the door being counterbalanced is placed in a locked position until the winding operation has been completed and the freed end cones or members of the spring are resecured to the torsion shaft.
  • the setting of the proper spring forces in the torsion spring or springs is done with the use of charts and spring characteristic specifications.
  • Mullet U.S. Patent No. 5,419,010 (which is incorporated herein by reference) discloses a counterbalancing mechanism for sectional doors that features a duel shaft system.
  • the counterbalancing mechanism of Mullet has a drive tube 30 extending between a pair of drums and being non-rotatably affixed thereto, a coil spring 80 positioned interiorly of the drive tube, the coil spring having one end 82 non-rotatably affixed to the drive tube and the other end 81 non- rotatably affixed to the shaft, and a tension adjusting mechanism.
  • the counterbalancing system disclosed in Mullet is more complicated to install and maintain because the duel shaft system uses non-standard components, thereby creating complicated maintenance and repairs to the torsion spring assembly.
  • Carper et al. U.S. Patent No. 5,632,063 and Carper et al. U.S. Patent No. 5,636,678 (which are incorporated herein by reference) disclose an overhead door apparatus utilizing a torsion spring counterbalancing mechanism.
  • the counterbalancing mechanism includes a worm drive ring-shaped gear winding mechanism for setting the appropriate torque or number of winds in the spring.
  • the torsion spring disclosed in the Carper etal. patents has gaps between adjacent coils making it a non-standard torsion spring and spring assembly. Additionally, the torsion spring counterbalancing mechanism of the Carper et al. patents require specialty anchor and winding cones and specialty drums which are not off-the-shelf components. Thus, the need exists for a counterbalancing mechanism which permits simpler installation and maintenance and uses standard off-the-shelf components.
  • the present invention eliminates the dangers of prior art mechanisms relating to torsion spring counterbalancing, simplifies the installation and maintenance with an accompanying savings in time and labor, improves the counterbalancing system performance, and utilizes off-the-shelf drums and cones.
  • the invention in one form, is an apparatus for counterbalancing a roll-up door.
  • a first threaded shaft is concentrically disposed around a torsion shaft and a spring is also disposed around the torsion shaft.
  • the spring has a first end and a second end. The first end of the spring is secured to a first anchor plate that is threadably mounted to thread onto the threaded shaft. The second end of the spring, via a winding cone, is fixed relative to the torsion shaft.
  • the threaded shaft is rotated, the first anchor plate moves along the threaded shaft, thereby longitudinally stretching the spring a predetermined distance.
  • the transmission includes a gear positioned generally concentrically around the torsion shaft, and a worm gear that meshes with the gear and is coupled to a drive head allowing a power tool to turn the worm gear.
  • the invention resides in a method for counterbalancing a roll-up door.
  • the method includes securing a first end of a spring to a threadably mounted first anchor plate and securing a second end of the spring, via a winding cone, to a torsion shaft.
  • the first threadably mounted anchor plate is then threaded onto a threaded shaft positioned concentrically around the torsion shaft and the threaded shaft coupled to a transmission.
  • FIG. 1 is a fragmentary elevational view of a roll-up door equipped with a counterbalancing mechanism of the present invention
  • FIG. 2 is an enlarged vertical sectional view of a counterbalancing mechanism of the present invention showing the torsion spring and worm gear unit for applying torque to the torsion spring;
  • FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view as taken along lines 3-3 of FIG. 2;
  • FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a counterbalancing mechanism of the present invention including a power transmission for twisting the torsion spring;
  • FIG. 5 is a front view of a counterbalancing mechanism of the present invention.
  • FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a counterbalancing mechanism of the present invention
  • FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a transmission and a torsion shaft of a counterbalancing mechanism of the present invention
  • FIG. 8 is an enlarged vertical sectional view of a counterbalancing mechanism of the present invention
  • FIG. 9 is an enlarged sectional view as taken along lines 9-9 of FIG. 8;
  • FIG. 10 is an enlarged vertical sectional view of an alternative embodiment of a counterbalancing mechanism of the present invention.
  • FIG. 11 is an enlarged sectional view as taken along lines 11-11 of FIG. 10. While the above-identified drawings features sets forth a preferred embodiment, other embodiments of the present invention are also contemplated, as noted in the discussion. This disclosure presents illustrative embodiments of the present invention by way of representation and not limitation. Numerous other modifications and embodiments can be devised by those skilled in the art which fall within the scope and spirit of the principles of this invention.
  • a faster, easier, and safer counterbalancing mechanism for a roll-up door of the present invention is shown generally at 10 in FIG. 1.
  • a roll-up door 20 is typically used to provide large openings for a structure 21 , such as a garage, warehouse or similar structure.
  • the counterbalancing mechanism 10 permits the opening and slow closing of the roll-up door 20.
  • Conventional tracks 22 and 23 having upright sections and generally horizontal sections that are secured to the structure 21 to movably support the roll-up door 20.
  • the roll-up door 20 is typically composed of metal, plastic or wood panels and has considerable weight.
  • the counterbalancing mechanism 10 provides the force necessary to lift the roll-up door 20 open and to slowly close the roll-up door 20.
  • a pair of counterbalancing mechanisms 10 and 11 may be necessary to support the weight of the roll-up door 20. The following description is directed to the counterbalancing mechanism 10, but is equally applicable to the counterbalancing mechanism 11.
  • the counterbalancing mechanism 10 When the roll-up door is in the closed position (FIG. 1 ), the counterbalancing mechanism 10 is located above a top end 30 of the roll-up door 20 and has a generally transverse torsion shaft 34 having a first end 36 and a second end 38 which are rotatably supported on anchor plates 40 and 42.
  • a plurality of fasteners 44 secure the support blocks 40 and 42 to the structure 21 adjacent the top end 30 of the closed roll-up door 20.
  • the torsion shaft 34 is rotatably supported on the remote ends of the tracks 22 and 23.
  • a first drum 46 carrying a first cable 50 is secured to the first end portion 36 of the torsion shaft 34.
  • first cable 50 is connected with a suitable fastener (not shown) to a bottom end 32 of the roll-up door 20.
  • a second drum 48 is fixed to the second end portion 38 of the torsion shaft 34.
  • a second cable 52 wrapped around the second drum 48 extends downwardly and is attached to the bottom end 32 of the roll-up door 20.
  • the counterbalancing mechanism 10 operates to apply torque to the torsion shaft 34 connected to the drums 46 and 48 and the cables 50 and 52 to counterbalance to the bottom 32 of the roll-up door 20.
  • the torsion shaft 34 is subject to rotational or turning forces by a pair of coils or helical torsion springs 60 and 62.
  • the spring 60 of the counterbalancing mechanism 10 has a first end 64 that is threaded onto a first anchor plate 68.
  • the spring 60 also has a second end 66 that is secured to a second winding cone 70 which fixes the second end 66 of the spring 60 to the torsion shaft 34.
  • the second winding cone 70 is secured to the torsion shaft 34 with one or more set screws 71 and is threaded onto the second end 66 of the spring 60.
  • the spring 60 and the end cones 68 and 70 are conventional structures known in the art. As shown in FIGS.
  • the first anchor plate 68 is secured to an anchor plate 72 by bolts 74.
  • the anchor plate 72 has a threaded opening 76 which threads onto a threaded shaft 78 concentrically disposed around the torsion shaft 34.
  • the threaded shaft 78 surrounds a portion of the first end 36 of the torsion shaft 34 and features threads 80 which extend over an operative portion of the threaded shaft 78 .
  • a gear 90 is positioned concentrically around and secured to the threaded shaft 78.
  • the threaded opening 76 of the anchor plate 72 engages the threads 80 of the threaded shaft 78 to elongate the spring 60 and apply torque to the torsion shaft 34.
  • the gear 90 interacts with a transmission unit 100 to control the movement of the spring 60 over the threaded shaft 78.
  • the transmission unit 100 features a transmission housing 102 holding a worm gear 104. Opposite ends of the worm gear 104 are rotatably mounted in the transmission housing 102.
  • the transmission housing 102 is designed to fit around the threaded shaft 78 and allows the worm gear 104 to mesh with the toothed gear 90.
  • the worm gear 104 alters the direction of motion, and changes the speed and force.
  • the transmission unit 100 can be a planetary or epicyclic train of gears that do not have back drive. In a preferred embodiment, the transmission unit 100 can operate in two directions that allow for both the winding and unwinding of the spring 60.
  • the transmission unit 100 is attached to a bracket 106 mounted on structure 21.
  • Bolts 108 secure the transmission housing 102 to the bracket 106 or a similar fixed support.
  • an electric drill or wrench is used in conjunction with the transmission unit 100 to turn the worm gear 104 to rotate the gear 90 about twenty to forty rotations to stretch and wind up the spring 60.
  • the transmission unit 100 may be driven with a conventional electric motor drill (as shown in 143 in U.S. Patent No.3,979,977, which is incorporated herein by reference) to rotate the threaded shaft 78.
  • a conventional electric motor drill as shown in 143 in U.S. Patent No.3,979,977, which is incorporated herein by reference
  • a shoulder on threaded shaft 78 prevents the movement of the first anchor plate 72 along the threaded shaft 78 beyond a predetermined position so that further rotation of the threaded shaft 78 winds the spring 60 thereby applying a determined counterbalancing torque on the torsion shaft 34.
  • the coils of the spring 60 become closer or touch and the spring coil diameter decreases.
  • adjacent coils are in close relationship.
  • the spring 60 is not bound when it is fully wound up.
  • friction forces are generated between adjacent coils of the spring 60.
  • the transmission unit 100 retains the spring 60 in the wound position.
  • a pair of counterbalancing mechanisms 10 and 11 may be necessary to support the weight of the roll-up door 20 (FIG. 1 ).
  • the second counterbalancing mechanism 11 operates in the same manner as the first second counterbalancing mechanism 10.
  • the second counterbalancing mechanism 11 has a second torsion spring 62 located over the torsion shaft 34 and secured to the torsion shaft 34.
  • the free end of the spring 62 interacts w a threaded shaft and a transmission unit 101 winds the spring 62.
  • the counterbalancing mechanisms 10 and 11 have the same structures and operate to apply torsion on the springs 60 and 62, thereby subjecting the torsion shaft 34 to torque the counterbalance of the weight of the roll-up door 20.
  • the springs 60 and 62 are fully energized by the twisting action of torsion shaft 34.
  • FIGS. 10 and 11 illustrate an alternative embodiment of the present invention shown generally at 130.
  • the alternative embodiment of the present invention does not utilize the threaded shaft 78.
  • an elongated tubular member 149 is located within spring 60 and surrounds the torsion shaft 34.
  • the tubular member 149 pre-stretches the spring 60.
  • the tubular member 149 has an end 150 that abuts against the plug 70.
  • An opposite end 151 of the tubular member 149 stretches or longitudinally elongates spring about 2 1/2 inches or the length that the spring 60 grows when wound.
  • the spring 60 increases in length by the diameter of spring wire for every turn, 360°, of the spring 60. Adjacent coils of the spring are spaced from each other by the tubular member 149 which pre-stretches the spring.
  • Bolts 157 secure the gear 90 to the plate 72.
  • the present invention eliminates the dangers of prior art mechanisms relating to torsion spring counterbalancing, simplifies the installation and maintenance with an accompanying savings in time and labor, improves the counterbalancing system installation, and unlike others maintains conventional components known in the art.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Closing And Opening Devices For Wings, And Checks For Wings (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne un dispositif et un procédé d'équilibrage de porte à enroulement (20). Un premier arbre fileté (78) est disposé de manière concentrique autour d'un arbre de torsion (34), et un ressort (60) est également disposé autour de l'arbre de torsion (34). Le ressort (60) présente une première extrémité (64) et une deuxième extrémité (66). La première extrémité (64) du ressort (60) est fixée contre une première plaque d'ancrage (68) vissée sur le filetage de l'arbre fileté (78). La deuxième extrémité (66) du ressort (60) est fixée par rapport à l'arbre de torsion (34). Lorsque l'arbre fileté (78) tourne, la première plaque d'ancrage (68) se déplace le long de l'arbre fileté (78), étendant ainsi le ressort (60) de manière longitudinale sur une longueur prédéterminée. Une première butée empêche la première plaque d'ancrage (68) de se déplacer le long de l'arbre fileté (78) au-delà d'une position prédéterminée, de manière qu'une rotation supplémentaire de l'arbre fileté (78) enroule le ressort (60), appliquant ainsi un couple d'équilibrage prédéterminé sur l'arbre de torsion (34).
PCT/US2000/015511 2000-06-07 2000-06-07 Dispositif et procede d'equilibrage de porte a enroulement WO2001094731A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU2000254657A AU2000254657A1 (en) 2000-06-07 2000-06-07 Roll-up door counterbalancing apparatus and method
PCT/US2000/015511 WO2001094731A1 (fr) 2000-06-07 2000-06-07 Dispositif et procede d'equilibrage de porte a enroulement

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PCT/US2000/015511 WO2001094731A1 (fr) 2000-06-07 2000-06-07 Dispositif et procede d'equilibrage de porte a enroulement

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2001094731A1 true WO2001094731A1 (fr) 2001-12-13

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PCT/US2000/015511 WO2001094731A1 (fr) 2000-06-07 2000-06-07 Dispositif et procede d'equilibrage de porte a enroulement

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AU (1) AU2000254657A1 (fr)
WO (1) WO2001094731A1 (fr)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP4382704A1 (fr) * 2022-12-06 2024-06-12 Hörmann KG Brockhagen Ensemble pour le montage de portails

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3921761A (en) * 1974-04-12 1975-11-25 Univ Iowa State Res Found Inc Method and means of winding torsion spring
US4882806A (en) * 1988-07-11 1989-11-28 Davis Thomas J Counterbalancing torsion spring mechanism for devices which move up and down and method of setting the torsion springs thereof
US5239777A (en) * 1992-03-24 1993-08-31 Atlas Roll-Lite Door Corporation Overhead door pre-loaded and pre-assembled torsion spring counterbalance assembly
US5419010A (en) * 1993-05-03 1995-05-30 Wayne-Dalton Corp. Compact counterbalancing system for sectional doors
US5632063A (en) * 1994-06-16 1997-05-27 Clopay Building Products Company, Inc. Counterbalancing mechanism for an overhead door

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3921761A (en) * 1974-04-12 1975-11-25 Univ Iowa State Res Found Inc Method and means of winding torsion spring
US4882806A (en) * 1988-07-11 1989-11-28 Davis Thomas J Counterbalancing torsion spring mechanism for devices which move up and down and method of setting the torsion springs thereof
US5239777A (en) * 1992-03-24 1993-08-31 Atlas Roll-Lite Door Corporation Overhead door pre-loaded and pre-assembled torsion spring counterbalance assembly
US5419010A (en) * 1993-05-03 1995-05-30 Wayne-Dalton Corp. Compact counterbalancing system for sectional doors
US5632063A (en) * 1994-06-16 1997-05-27 Clopay Building Products Company, Inc. Counterbalancing mechanism for an overhead door

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP4382704A1 (fr) * 2022-12-06 2024-06-12 Hörmann KG Brockhagen Ensemble pour le montage de portails

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
AU2000254657A1 (en) 2001-12-17

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