Weatherproof continuous hinge connector for articulated vehicular overhead doors

Claim 1

An assembly hingeably and resiliently connecting mutually adjoining first and second panels of an overhead door while effectively damping vibration and sealing the gap between such panels irrespective of whether the door is closed or is fully or partially open, said assembly comprising: (a) an elongated first member associated with a lateral edge of the first panel, said first member having a first opening and a laterally extending channel formed along at least a portion of its length; (b) an elongated second member associated with a lateral edge of the second panel which adjoins the first panel, said second member having a second opening and a rail formed along at least a portion of its length, said rail being of a cross-sectional size and shape substantially complimentary to that of said channel so as to be at least partially received within said channel when the door is closed; and (c) an elongated resilient elastomeric member extending across at least a portion of the widths of said first and second panels, said elastomeric member including (i) a body generally in the form of an elongated strip having first and second sealing lips overlying exterior surfaces of said first and second panels, respectively, and (ii) integral first and second projections located between said lips and extending from said body, said first and second projections being removably securable within said first opening of said first member and said second opening of said first member, respectively so as to bias said lips against said exterior surfaces of said panels to form a seal between said lips and said panels along substantially the entire length of said body when said first and second projections are received within said first and second openings, said elastomeric member serving to dampen mechanical vibration while maintaining said seal during operation of the door.