US3815657A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Overhead garage door sections
Assignee: ARCHITECTURAL MOLDED PROD Ltd
•
Filing: 1971-11-10
•
Granted: 1974-06-11
•
Expires: 1991-11-10
Abstract
Abstract An articulated closure comprising a plurality of hingedly connected sections adapted to be positioned adjacent a structural opening is provided. The sections cooperate to define reversible closure surfaces facing opposite sides of the structural opening. Each of the sections is integrally formed of a closed-cell, rigid polyurethane foam which provides a central core substantially enclosed within an integrally connected, substantially continuous skin of increased density. According to one aspect of the invention, the section further includes a case structure which is integrally molded with the low density core and has a relatively higher density. The case is chemically and mechanically bonded to the core at an interface zone having a higher average density than the core and the case so that the interface zone serves as an inner reinforcement for the section. According to another aspect of the invention, the case is provided with reinforcing means substantially embedded therein and comprising a net-type structure or randomly oriented glass fibers. In addition, methods of forming such sections are provided.
Inventors
- 👤 W Malek
- 👤 H Substelny
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 04:45
CPC Classifications
E; E06; E06B; E06B3/00; E06B3/32; E06B3/48; E06B3/485; E06B3/70; E06B3/7001; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T428/00; Y10T428/24; Y10T428/24942; Y10T428/249921; Y10T428/249953; Y10T428/249961; Y10T428/249976; Y10T428/249987; Y10T428/249988; Y10T428/249989
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
140 words
An articulated closure adapted to be guided into a position adjacent a structural opening, including closure surfaces disposed adjacent opposite sides of said opening, comprising a plurality of hingedly connected sections, each of said sections having a thickness substantially less than its width or length and including first and second section surfaces cooperating to define said closure surfaces, each of said sections being a single molded plastic material comprising a closed-cell rigid polyurethane foam of varying densities, having a relatively low density core, an integrally formed external case of increased density, and a cellular reinforcing interface zone between the core and case having an average density higher than the average core density and the average case density, portions of said interface zone being substantially coextensive with each of said section surfaces and spaced apart by the thickness of said core.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
140 words
An articulated closure adapted to be guided into a position adjacent a structural opening, including closure surfaces disposed adjacent opposite sides of said opening, comprising a plurality of hingedly connected sections, each of said sections having a thickness substantially less than its width or length and including first and second section surfaces cooperating to define said closure surfaces, each of said sections being a single molded plastic material comprising a closed-cell rigid polyurethane foam of varying densities, having a relatively low density core, an integrally formed external case of increased density, and a cellular reinforcing interface zone between the core and case having an average density higher than the average core density and the average case density, portions of said interface zone being substantially coextensive with each of said section surfaces and spaced apart by the thickness of said core.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
113 words
An articulated closure adapted to be guided into a position adjacent a structural opening, including closure surfaces disposed adjacent opposite sides of said opening, comprising a pluraLity of hingedly connected rectangular sections, each of said sections including first and second section surfaces cooperating to define said closure surfaces, each of said sections being a single molded plastic material comprising a closed-cell rigid polyurethane foam of varying densities, having a relatively low density core, an integrally formed external case of increased density substantially surrounding and enclosing said core, and a cellular reinforcing interface zone between the core and case having an average density higher than the average core density and the average case density.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
113 words
An articulated closure adapted to be guided into a position adjacent a structural opening, including closure surfaces disposed adjacent opposite sides of said opening, comprising a pluraLity of hingedly connected rectangular sections, each of said sections including first and second section surfaces cooperating to define said closure surfaces, each of said sections being a single molded plastic material comprising a closed-cell rigid polyurethane foam of varying densities, having a relatively low density core, an integrally formed external case of increased density substantially surrounding and enclosing said core, and a cellular reinforcing interface zone between the core and case having an average density higher than the average core density and the average case density.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
An articulated closure as set forth in claim 1 wherein said case substantially, entirely surrounds and encloses said core.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
44 words
An articulated closure as set forth in claim 3 wherein the density of said interface zone progressively increases through its thickness from opposed regions thereof located adjacent said core and said case to a maximum value at an intermediate location within said interface zone.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
An articulated closure as set forth in claim 4 wherein said interface zone provides both mechanical interengagement and chemical bonding between said core and said case.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
35 words
An articulated closure as set forth in claim 1 wherein said case includes reinforcing means substantially, completely embedded therein, and said reinforcing means is substantially coextensive with the planar extent of each of said sections.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
36 words
An articulated closure as set forth in claim 1 wherein said case includes local reinforcing means substantially, completely embedded therein, said reinforcing means comprising substantially disjuncted members which are more rigid than said case and core.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
43 words
A closure as set forth in claim 6 wherein said reinforcing means comprise a net-type reinforcing member having openings therein, and said case substantially, entirely fills said openings to provide said case with a substantially continuous structure having said net-type member embedded therein.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
45 words
A closure as set forth in claim 6 wherein said reinforcing means comprise randomly oriented, glass fibers, and said fibers are embedded substantially, completely within the regions of said case adjacent to said core, said regions being spaced from the exterior surfaces of said sections.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
40 words
An articulated closure as set forth in claim 2 wherein said closure surfaces are reversible and said first and second section surfaces cooperate to define said reversible closure surfaces, each of said sections forming an interlocking joint with adjacent sections.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US24914A
Cited
US2690799A
Cited
US2865800A
Cited
US2907383A
Cited
US2858881A
Cited
US3099516A
Cited
US3325861A
Cited
US3410044A
Cited
US3546060A
Cited
US3424222A
Cited
US3402520A
Cited
US3511301A
Cited
US3520769A
Cited
US3626044A
Cited
US3546841A
Cited
US3709966A
Cited
US3644168A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-06-10 | 1977-12-10 | 1978-06-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-06-10 | 1981-12-10 | 1982-06-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-06-10 | 1985-12-10 | 1986-06-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |