Patent US3815657A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
← Back to Patent Explorer
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
📄 Original PDF 🌐 Google Patents 🔄 Sync Now

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 14:46
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.

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

Assigned Categories & Tags

No categories assigned to this patent yet.

Assign Category Tag