Seal assembly for a folding door

Abstract

An assembly for a door includes a carriage and a seal bar. The carriage including a first carriage portion that is rotatable about an axis relative to a second carriage portion, the second carriage portion including a plurality of rolling elements and a cam body defining a cam profile. The seal bar being rotatable about the axis and vertically moveable relative to the carriage between upper and lower positions, the seal bar including: a body; a seal member coupled to the body; and a follower assembly mounted to the body and including a follower engaged with the cam profile, the cam profile being shaped such that, as the door rotates in a first rotational direction, the cam follower lifts the seal bar towards the upper position, and, as the bottom rail rotates in a second rotational direction, the cam follower lowers the seal bar towards the lower position.

Description

SEAL ASSEMBLY FOR A FOLDING DOORFIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to folding doors and. more particularly, to folding doors with weatherproofing along the bottom of the folding doors.BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0002] Sliding doors and other door systems are known in the art for providing means of restricting and permitting access to structures. Sliding doors can be advantageous over swinging doors because they can provide a large opening without requiring as much space for the doors to swing.

[0003] While sliding doors are desirable for space reasons, some sliding door systems, such as bi-fold door systems, are difficult to seal. Bi-folding door systems typically include some type of weather stripping or a brush along a lower edge of each door panel to engage the floor surface or a runner. These types of weather stripping or brushes must slide along the floor while the door system is being opened or closed. Accordingly, the weather stripping can wear rather quickly until it loses effectiveness at weatherproofing the door. If the unit is adjusted downward in order to close the gap too much, the added friction will not allow the panel to slide freely and also increases wear. Additionally, brushes do not form a w ater-tight seal and thus allow water to enter below the door.

[0004] There is a need in the art for a folding door system that increases the longevity of seal members arranged on the bottom of the door as well as a folding door system that can form a robust w ater-tight seal when the door is closed.SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0005] Various details of the present disclosure are hereinafter summarized to provide a basic understanding. This summary is not an extensive overview of the disclosure and is neither intended to identity7certain elements of the disclosure, nor to delineate the scope thereof. Rather, the primary purpose of this summary is to present some concepts of the disclosure in a simplified form prior to the more detailed description that is presented hereinafter.

[0006] A door system, including a threshold defining a track, a carriage moveable along the track, and a door coupled to the carriage. The carriage includes a first carriage portion thatis rotatable relative to a second carriage portion about an axis, the second carriage portion including a plurality of rolling elements engageable with the track and a cam body defining a cam profile. The door is coupled to the first carriage portion and rotatable about the axis between open and closed positions, the door including a bottom rail that has a seal bar moveable between upper and lower positions relative to the bottom rail. The seal bar includes a body, a seal member coupled to the body, and a follower assembly mounted to the body and including a cam follower engaged with the cam profile. The cam profile being shaped such that, as the door rotates to the open position, the cam follower lifts the seal bar towards the upper position, and, as the door rotates toward the closed position, the cam follower lowers the seal bar towards the lower position. A clearance gap is present between the seal member and the threshold when the seal bar is in the upper position, and the seal member sealingly engages the threshold when the seal bar is in the lower position. In another embodiment, the door system further comprising a biasing member engaged with the bottom rail and the follower assembly to force the seal member against the threshold when the seal bar is in the lower position. In another further embodiment, the follower assembly further includes: a base mounted to an upper surface of the body and defining a bore, the cam follower extending laterally from the base; a guide member fixed to the bottom rail and extending through the bore, wherein the base moves vertically relative to the guide member as the seal bar is moved between the upper and lower positions; and a biasing member disposed around the guide member, the biasing member being operable to force the seal member against the threshold when the seal bar is in the lower position. In another further embodiment, the biasing member extends between a shoulder of the guide member and the body. In another further embodiment, the cam body is a cylindrical portion of the second portion of the carriage and the cam profile is a helical groove formed on the outer surface of the cylindrical portion. In another further embodiment, the seal bar has a lip protruding from the body that extends along an entire length of the seal bar. In another further embodiment, the lip is slidably received within a slot formed in the bottom rail. In another further embodiment, the first carriage portion is attached to a thermal break of the bottom rail. In another further embodiment, the door is coupled to the first carriage portion at the middle of the bottom rail.

[0007] A door including a carriage, a bottom rail, and a seal bar. The carriage including a first carriage portion that is rotatable about an axis relative to a second camage portion, the second carriage portion including a plurality rolling elements and a cam body defining a cam profile. The bottom rail is attached to the first carriage portion and rotatableabout the axis. The seal bar is coupled to the bottom rail and moveable relative to the bottom rail between upper and lower positions. The seal bar including a body; a seal member coupled to the body; and a follower assembly mounted to the body and including a follower engaged with the cam profile, the cam profile being shaped such that, as the door rotates in a first rotational direction, the cam follower lifts the seal bar towards the upper position, and, as the bottom rail rotates in a second rotational direction, the cam follower lowers the seal bar towards the lower position. In another embodiment, the follower assembly further includes: a base mounted to an upper surface of the body and including a bore, the cam follower being mounted to or integral with the base; and a guide member fixed to the bottom rail that is disposed in the bore, wherein the base moves vertically relative to the guide member as the seal bar is moved between the upper and lower positions. In another further embodiment, the door further comprises: a spring disposed around the guide member that is configured to bias the seal bar towards the lower position. In another further embodiment, the cam body is a cylindrical portion of the second portion of the carriage and the cam profile is a helical groove formed on the outer surface of the cylindrical portion. In another further embodiment, the seal bar has a lip protruding from the body that extends along the length of the seal bar that is slidably received within a slot formed in the bottom rail.

[0008] An assembly for a door includes a carriage and a seal bar. The carriage including a first carriage portion that is rotatable about an axis relative to a second carriage portion, the second carriage portion including a plurality of rolling elements and a cam body defining a cam profile. The seal bar being rotatable about the axis and vertically moveable relative to the carriage between upper and lower positions, the seal bar including: a body; a seal member coupled to the body; and a follower assembly mounted to the body and including a follower engaged with the cam profile, the cam profile being shaped such that, as the door rotates in a first rotational direction, the cam follower lifts the seal bar towards the upper position, and, as the bottom rail rotates in a second rotational direction, the cam follower lowers the seal bar towards the lower position. In another embodiment, the follower assembly further includes: a base mounted to an upper surface of the body and including a bore, the cam follower being mounted to or integral with the base; and a guide member disposed in the bore, wherein the base moves vertically relative to the guide member as the seal bar is moved between the upper and lower positions. In another further embodiment, the assembly for the door further comprises: a spring disposed around the guide member that is configured to bias the seal bar towards the lower position. In another embodiment, the cam body is a cylindrical portion ofthe second portion of the carriage and the cam profile is a helical groove formed on the outer surface of the cylindrical portion. In another embodiment, the seal bar has a lip protruding from the body that extends along the length of the seal bar. In another further embodiment, the assembly for the door further comprises first and second guide members disposed in a respective opening formed in the body on opposing sides of the follower assembly, wherein the seal bar is vertically moveable relative to the first and second guide members.

[0009] Any combinations of the various embodiments and implementations disclosed herein can be used in a further embodiment, consistent with the disclosure. These and other aspects and features can be appreciated from the following description of certain embodiments presented herein in accordance with the disclosure and the accompanying drawings and claims.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] FIG. l is a bottom perspective view of an example folding door system that may incorporate the principles of the present disclosure.

[0011] FIG. 2A is an enlarged, schematic partial cross-sectional view of an example carriage and seal assembly of the folding door system of FIG. 1.

[0012] FIG. 2B is a schematic cross-sectional view of the carriage of FIG. 2A.

[0013] FIG. 2C illustrates a perspective view of a seal bar of the seal assembly.

[0014] FIG. 3 A illustrates a perspective view of a bottom rail of the folding door system in a fully open position relative to a threshold of the folding door system.

[0015] FIG. 3B illustrates a schematic partial cross-sectional view of the bottom rail along section line 3B-3B of FIG. 3 A.

[0016] FIG. 4 A illustrates a perspective view of the bottom rail of the folding door system in a partially open position relative to the threshold of the folding door system.

[0017] FIG. 4B illustrates a schematic partial cross-sectional view of the bottom rail along section line 4B-4B of FIG. 4A.

[0018] FIG. 5A illustrates a perspective view of the bottom rail of the folding door system in a closed position relative to the threshold of the folding door system.

[0019] FIG. 5B illustrates a schematic partial cross-sectional view of the bottom rail along section line 5B-5B of FIG. 5 A.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] Embodiments in accordance with the present disclosure generally relate to doors and. more particularly, to folding doors that can selectively engage and disengage a seal member thereof with a threshold of the folding door.

[0021] More specifically, the present disclosure relates to a bi-fold door system that has a door with seal bars that are moveable between an upper position and a lower position due to the interaction of the seal bar with a cam body of a carriage that allows the door to move along a track in a threshold of the door system as the door opens and closes. When the door is fully open, the seal bar will be in the upper position (e.g., raised position), and a seal member (e.g., gasket) of the seal bar is out of contact with the threshold. In contrast, w hen door is fully closed, the seal bar will be in the lower position and the seal member will be engaged with the threshold to form a tight water-tight seal. As the door opens, the seal bar is raised to lift the seal member out of contact with the threshold, which limits frictional contact between the seal member and the threshold and thereby increases the longevity of the seal member. In some embodiments, the seal bar can be lowered into contact with the threshold once the door is more than halfway closed, such as when the door is substantially closed. This may limit contact with the threshold to improve the longevity of the seal member.

[0022] FIG. 1 illustrates a bottom perspective view' of an example bi-fold door system 100 that has a plurality7of doors 110 and a threshold 120. In the illustrated embodiment, the door system 100 includes four doors 110, but more or less than four doors 100 may be used, but at least two doors, without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Each of the doors 110 includes one or more panels 111 that are framed by a top rail 112, a bottom rail 113, and a pair of vertical stiles 114 extending between the top and bottom rails 112, 113. In some applications, the panels 111 may be formed from a transparent material (e.g., plexiglass, glass), but could alternatively comprise an opaque material, such as a wood panel.

[0023] Each door 110 is pivotally coupled to a laterally adjacent door by a hinge assembly 116, each of w hich may be integral hinge assemblies that substantially span the height of the door 100. While all four doors 110 are shown pivotally connected together by corresponding hinge assemblies 116. the doors 110 may be grouped in pairs with two doors 110 being hinged together that are not themselves hinged to another pair of doors 110.

[0024] The threshold 120 is installed on an underlying substrate (e.g., a concrete slab, a wood floor, etc.) at an ingress / egress point of a structure, such as a home or industrial building. The threshold 120 has a track (see track 221 in FIG. 2) that extends along the lengthof the threshold 120, and each door 110 includes a carriage 130 (schematically identified as a dashed box) operatively coupled to the bottom rail 113 and configured to ride in the track as the door 110 is opened or closed. The carriage 130 is attached to each door 110 at or near the center of the bottom rail 113 to facilitate the pivoting rotation of the door 110 from a closed position, where the door 110 is parallel with the threshold 120, to an open position, where the door 110 is disposed at an angle relative to the threshold 120.

[0025] The door system 100 may also include an upper threshold (not shown) near the top of the bi-fold door system 100 that has a track receiving a pin or roller coupled to the top rail 112 of each door 110 to help facilitate opening and closing of the doors 110. The upper threshold and track are beyond the scope of this disclosure, and therefore will not be discussed in any detail.

[0026] Each door 110 includes a seal assembly (see seal assembly 250 in FIG. 2) that interacts with the carriage 130 to selectively engage a seal member attached to the bottom rail 113 with the adjacent threshold 120. As explained below, the seal assembly is configured to reduce the contact between the seal member and the threshold 120 as the door 110 is opened and closed, while also facilitating sealing engagement to prevent or inhibit fluids, such as water, from entering the structure between the bottom rail 113 and the threshold 120. Reducing contact between the seal member and the threshold 120 during opening and closing of the door 110 increases the longevity of the seal member and helps reduce leaks by reducing wear and tear on the seal member during use.

[0027] FIG. 2A illustrates an enlarged, partial cross-sectional view of a portion 200 of the door system 100, according to one or more embodiments. More specifically, FIG. 2A is an enlarged cross-sectional side view of the carriage 130 and an example seal assembly 250 while the door 110 is in a closed state. The bottom rail 113 of the door 110 is shown but other parts of the door 110, such as the panel 111, the top rail 112, and the stiles 114, are omitted. The threshold 120 is shown mounted to a substrate 201, such as being embedded within a portion of the underlying substrate 201. The threshold 120 could alternatively be mounted to a top surface of the substrate 201.

[0028] A side view of the carriage 130 is shown in FIG. 2A and a cross-sectional view of the camage 130 is shown in FIG. 2B. As shown in FIG. 2A, the carriage 130 is configured to be arranged betw een the bottom rail 1 13 and the threshold 120. The carriage 130 may bear the weight of the door 100 as the door 100 opens and closes. As illustrated, the carriage 130 includes a lower carriage portion 230 that is moveable along a track 221 provided by thethreshold 120, and an upper carriage portion 240 that is attached (operatively coupled) to the bottom rail 113. In some embodiments, the upper carriage position 240 is rotatable relative to the lower carriage portion 230 about axis 202. The axis 202 is coaxial wi th the central axis of the door 110; e.g., the axis about which the door 110 pivots when opening and closing.

[0029] In some embodiments, the upper carriage portion 240 is rotationally fixed to the bottom rail 113 such that rotation of the door 110 causes the upper carriage portion 240 to rotate relative to the lower carriage portion 230. In other embodiments, the upper carriage portion 240 is not rotationally fixed to the bottom rail 113 and is instead rotatable relative to the bottom rail 113 and the lower carriage portion 230. For example, in some embodiments, the upper carriage portion 240 may be rotationally fixed or pivotally attached to an upper thermal break 210 arranged between an outer part 211 and an inner part 212 of the bottom rail 113. The upper carriage portion 240 may include a threaded member 242 that extends through (penetrates) part of the upper thermal break 210, and may be connected to the upper thermal break 210 using a nut 243.

[0030] The upper carriage portion 240 may include a bearing 244, such as a pivot bearing, that facilitates rotation between the upper and lower carriage portions 230, 240. The lower carriage portion 230 includes a plurality of rolling elements (e.g., wheels) 231 that guide the carriage 130 along the track 221. As an example, the carriage 130 may include four sets (pairs) of rolling elements 231 to facilitate movement of the carriage 130 along the track 221.

[0031] The lower carriage portion also includes a cam body 232 that defines one or more cam profiles 233 that help facilitate raising and lowering a seal bar 260 of the seal assembly 250 as the door 1 10 opens and closes. As shown, the cam body 232 is a cylindrical portion of the lower carriage portion 230 that includes the cam profiles 233, which comprise helical grooves extending about the outer surface (circumference) of the cam body 232.

[0032] As shown in FIG. 2B, which is a schematic, cross-sectional view of the carnage 130, the upper carriage portion 240 includes a cylindrical body 245 with a similar outer diameter as the cylindrical cam body 232. A shaft 246 is attached to or integral with the cylindrical body 245 and extends through the lower carriage portion 230. The bearing 244, illustrated as a pivot bearing with roller elements (balls) trapped in a race, is disposed between the upper and lower carriage portions 230, 240 to facilitate rotation of the upper carriage portion 240 about the axis 202 and relative to the lower carriage portion 230.

[0033] Referring back to FIG. 2 A, the threshold 120 may include inner and outer members 222a and 222b that are engageable with the substrate 201, and a lower thermal break223 that spans the inner and outer members 222a, b. In some embodiments, the threshold 120 may include track inserts 224a and 224b that are each attached to a corresponding inner and outer member 222a, b to form the track 221. The track inserts 224a, b may be formed from a metal, such as aluminum or stainless steel, to form a smooth engagement surface for the rolling elements 231 of the carriage 130 to traverse. The track inserts 224a, b may each have a seal surface 225, which may comprise a planar portion of the track insert 224a, b that is generally perpendicular to the axis 202. As will be explained below, a seal member 281 may be selectively engaged with the corresponding seal surface 225 based on the interaction of the seal assembly 250 with the cam body 232.

[0034] FIG. 2A illustrates the seal assembly 250, which may include two seal bars 260, one for each of the outer and inner parts 211, 212. The seal bars 260 are vertically moveable relative to the carriage 130 and the remainder of the bottom rail 113 as the door 110 moves between the open and closed positions. Each seal bar 260 includes a body 261, a follower assembly 270 attached to an upper surface 265 of the body 261, and the seal member 281 attached to a lower surface 266 of the body 261. The body 261 may be an extruded aluminum member. The seal member 281 may be a linear gasket or other weather stripping capable of forming a water-tight seal with (against) the seal surface 245.

[0035] FIG. 2C illustrates a perspective view of one of the seal bars 260, and illustrates the length of the body 261 and further illustrates positioning of the corresponding follower assembly 270 along the body 261. The seal bar 260, including the body 261 and the seal member 281, spans the length of the bottom rail 113 so that the seal member 281 can form a water-tight seal with the corresponding seal surface 225 (FIG. 2A) along the width of the door 110 (FIG. 2 A) when the door 110 is closed.

[0036] In some embodiments, and as shown in FIGS. 2A and 2C, the body 261 also includes an upper flange or lip” 262 that extends upwards from the body 261 and is at least partially receivable in a portion of the bottom rail 113. For example, as shown in FIG. 2A, the outer and inner parts 211, 212 may each define a slot 213 sized to receive the upper lip 262 as the seal bar 260 moves vertically relative to the bottom rail 113. The lips 262 and the slots 213 help guide vertical movement of the seal bar 260 as the door 110 opens and closes. Additionally, the lips 262 inhibit fluid ingress over the top of the body 261.

[0037] The body 261 may also include or define an inner chamber 263 that extends the length of the body 261. The chamber 263 may be formed during the extrusion process. The body 261 may also have or define one or more openings 264 that extend from the upper surface265 thereof and provide access into the chamber 263. The openings 264 may be drilled after the body 261 is extruded.

[0038] As shown in FIGS. 2A and 2C, the follower assembly 270 includes a base 271, a cam follower 272, and a guide member 273. The base 271 is mounted to the upper surface 265 of the body 261, such as being attached by one or more fasteners as shown in FIG. 2C. The cam follower 272 extends laterally from the base 271 and is engageable with a corresponding cam profile 233. The cam follower 272 may be attached to or form an integral part with the base 271. In some embodiments, the cam follower 272 is a cylindrical member or pin sized to be received within and slidably engage the cam profile 233. As shown in FIG. 2A, the base 271 includes a bore 274 that is aligned with the opening 264 formed in the upper surface 265 of the body 261. The guide member 273, which is fixed to the corresponding outer or inner part 211, 212 of the bottom rail 113, extends into (through) the bore 274. The base 271 slides vertically along the guide member 273 as the cam follower 272 slidably engages the cam profile 233. In some embodiments, the guide member 273 may be partially received in the chamber 263 and the opening 264 of the body 261 when the seal bar 260 is in a lower position, as show n in FIG. 2A.

[0039] As the door 110 opens or closes, the bottom rail 113 and corresponding seal assembly 250 are rotated about the axis 202. This causes the cam follower 272 to slide along (traverse) the corresponding cam profile 233 since the seal bars 260 are rotating relative to the cam body 232. The cam profile 233 extends helically and is otherwise shaped to guide the cam follower 272 upward when the door 110 is rotated in a first rotational direction (e.g., counterclockwise) to open the door, and to guide the cam follower 272 downward as the door 110 rotates in a second rotational direction (e.g., clockwise) to close the door. The upward and downward movement of the cam follower 272 similarly causes the seal bar 260 to move upward or downward. Thus, the cam follower 272 and the cam body 232 interact to move the seal bar 260 between a lower position, as shown in FIG. 2A where the seal member 281 sealingly engages the seal surface 225 while the door is closed, and an upper position when the door is fully open, as shown in FIG. 3 A. As the door 110 opens, the interaction of the cam body 232 and the cam follower 272 causes the seal bar 260 to move vertically away from the lower position to disengage the seal member 281 from the seal surface 225, thereby protecting the seal member 281 from damage.

[0040] The cam profile 233 is shaped (e.g., exhibits a geometry) to limit the contact between the seal member 281 and the seal surface 225 as the door 110 opens and closes. Insome embodiments, the cam profile is shaped such that the seal member 281 does not contact the seal surface 225 until the door is more than halfway closed. In some embodiments, the cam profile 233 is shaped such that the seal member 281 does not contact the seal surface 225 until the door 110 is substantially closed, such as being within 5 degrees or less of being closed.

[0041] In some embodiments, and as shown in FIG. 2A, the seal assembly 250 may also include a biasing member 282 (e.g., compression spring) arranged within the chamber 263 of the body 261 and operable to apply a spring force that compresses (forces) the seal member 281 against the seal surface 225 while the door is closed to maintain a water tight seal. Additionally, the biasing member 282 biases the seal bar 260 toward the lower position.

[0042] FIG. 2A shows the biasing member 282 disposed around the guide member 273 within the chamber 263. The upper end of the biasing member 282 may abut a shoulder 275 of the guide member 273. while the lower end of the biasing member 282 may abut an inner (bottom) surface of the chamber 263. In some embodiments, the lower end of the biasing member 282 may be disposed in a pocket (not shown) formed in the inner surface of the chamber 263, such as a pocket formed when forming (e.g., drilling) the opening 264. The pocket may inhibit the biasing member 282 from becoming misaligned during use. In some embodiments, the biasing member 282 may instead be disposed around the guide member 273 between an upper surface of the base 271 and a lower surface of the corresponding outer and inner part 211, 212 of the bottom rail 113 as shown in phantom in FIG. 2A to facilitate compressing the seal member 281 when the door 110 is closed.

[0043] In some embodiments, and as shown in FIG. 2C. the seal bar 260 may include openings 267 formed in the body 261 that each receive a corresponding guide member 285 (e.g., guide rod) to facilitate the vertical movement of the seal bar 260 relative to the bottom rail 113 to help keep the body 261 level. The seal bar 260 may include two openings 267 disposed on opposing sides of the follower assembly 270 that each receive a corresponding guide member 285.

[0044] FIGS. 3A-3B, 4A-4B, and 5A-5B illustrate a sequence of closing the door 110 to show the movement of the seal bars 260 as the door 110 transitions between open and closed positions. FIG. 3 A is a partial perspective view of the door system 100 showing a portion of the threshold 120 and the bottom rail 113 of one door 110 in a fully open position. In some embodiments, the bottom rail 113 is perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the threshold 120 when the door 110 is in the fully open position. As the door 110 is rotated in the second rotational direction (e.g., clockwise direction) to the closed position, the carriage 130will move (e.g., roll, slide) along the track 221 in the direction of the arrow 301 shown in FIG. 3A while the bottom rail 113 rotates relative to the threshold 120.

[0045] FIG. 3B illustrates a partial cross-sectional view of the door system 100 along section line 3B-3B of FIG. 3 A. More specifically, FIG. 3B shows the seal bars 260 in the upper position due to the cam follower 272 being engaged with (located at) an upper end of the corresponding cam profile 233. In other w ords, a clearance gap 302 is present betw een the seal member 281 and the threshold 120 while the door 110 is in the fully open position. As the door 110 closes, however, each follower 272 will slide (traverse) downward along the cam profile 233 to a lower end of the cam profile 233 as shown in FIG. 5B. The movement of the cam follower 272 to the low er end of the cam profile 233 correspondingly low ers the seal bar 260, which reduces the size of the clearance gap 302 until the seal member 281 and the threshold 120 come into sealing engagement.

[0046] FIG. 4A is a partial perspective view of the door system 100 showing a portion of the threshold 120 and a portion of the bottom rail 113 of one door 110 when the door 110 is in a position between the open and closed positions, such as about halfw ay betw een open and closed. As shown, the bottom rail 113 is oriented at about a 45 degree angle relative to the threshold 120. The carriage 130 will continue to move along (traverse) the track 221 in the direction of the arrow 401 shown in FIG. 4A as the door 110 continues moving toward the closed position, which is shown in FIG. 5A.

[0047] FIG. 4B illustrates a partial cross-sectional view of the door system 100 about the section line 4B-4B of FIG. 4A. and shows the seal bars 260 in a partially (e.g.. half-way) lowered position due to the corresponding follower 272 being located at a point between the upper and lower ends of the corresponding cam profde 233 (e.g., the midpoint). The clearance gap 302 is still present betw een the seal member 281 and the threshold 120, but the size of the clearance gap 302 has decreased, as compared to FIG. 3B.

[0048] FIG. 5 A is a partial perspective view of the door system 100 showing a portion of the threshold 120 and a portion of the bottom rail 113 of one door 110 when the door 110 is closed.

[0049] FIG. 5B illustrates a partial cross-sectional view of the door system 100 about the section line 5B-5B of FIG. 5A, and shows the seal bars 260 coupled to the bottom rail 113 in the lower position with the seal members 281 being in a tight sealing engagement (sealingly engaged) with the corresponding seal surface 225 of the threshold 120. The cam followers 272 are shown located at or near the lower end of the corresponding cam profile 233. Moreover,each biasing member 282 applies a spring force to the seal bars 260 to facilitate maintaining a tight sealing engagement between the seal member 281 and the corresponding seal surface 225.

[0050] The door 100 may be opened by reversing the sequence shown in FIGS. 3A-5B, with the seal member 281 lifting vertically away from the seal surface 225 as the seal bars 260 are lifted (raised) due to the interaction of the cam followers 272 with the corresponding cam profiles 233.

[0051] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, for example, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “contains”, “containing”, “includes”, “including,” “comprises”, and / or “comprising,” and variations thereof, when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and / or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or groups thereof.

[0052] Terms of orientation are used herein merely for purposes of convention and referencing and are not to be construed as limiting. However, it is recognized these terms could be used with reference to an operator or user. Accordingly, no limitations are implied or to be inferred. In addition, the use of ordinal numbers (e.g., first, second, third, etc.) is for distinction and not counting. For example, the use of “third” does not imply there must be a corresponding “first” or “second.” Also, if used herein, the terms “coupled” or “coupled to” or “connected” or “connected to” or “attached” or “attached to” may indicate establishing either a direct or indirect connection, and is not limited to either unless expressly referenced as such.

[0053] The use of directional terms such as above, below, upper, lower, upward, downward, left, right, and the like are used in relation to the illustrative embodiments as they are depicted in the figures, the upward direction being toward the top of the corresponding figure and the downward direction being toward the bottom of the corresponding figure.

[0054] While the disclosure has described several exemplary embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes can be made, and equivalents can be substituted for elements thereof, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications will be appreciated by those skilled in the art to adapt a particular instrument, situation, or material to embodiments of the disclosure without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited tothe particular embodiments disclosed, or to the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims. Moreover, reference in the appended claims to an apparatus or system or a component of an apparatus or system being adapted to, arranged to, capable of, configured to, enabled to, operable to, or operative to perform a particular function encompasses that apparatus, system, or component, whether or not it or that particular function is activated, turned on, or unlocked, as long as that apparatus, system, or component is so adapted, arranged, capable, configured, enabled, operable, or operative.

Claims

CLAIMSThe invention claimed is:

1. A door system, comprising: a threshold defining a track; a carriage moveable along the track and including a first carriage portion that is rotatable relative to a second carriage portion about an axis, the second carriage portion including a plurality7of rolling elements engageable with the track and a cam body defining a cam profile; a door coupled to the first carnage portion and rotatable about the axis between open and closed positions, the door including a bottom rail that has a seal bar moveable between upper and lower positions relative to the bottom rail, the seal bar comprising: a body; a seal member coupled to the body; and a follower assembly mounted to the body and including a cam follower engaged with the cam profile, the cam profile being shaped such that, as the door rotates to the open position, the cam follower lifts the seal bar towards the upper position, and, as the door rotates toward the closed position, the cam follower lowers the seal bar towards the lower position, wherein a clearance gap is present between the seal member and the threshold when the seal bar is in the upper position, and the seal member sealingly engages the threshold when the seal bar is in the lower position.

2. The door system of claim 1, further comprising a biasing member engaged with the bottom rail and the follower assembly to force the seal member against the threshold when the seal bar is in the lower position.

3. The door system of claim 1, wherein the follower assembly further includes: a base mounted to an upper surface of the body and defining a bore, the cam follower extending laterally from the base; a guide member fixed to the bottom rail and extending through the bore, wherein the base moves vertically relative to the guide member as the seal bar is moved between the upper and lower positions; anda biasing member disposed around the guide member, the biasing member being operable to force the seal member against the threshold when the seal bar is in the lower position.

4. The door system of claim 3. wherein the biasing member extends between a shoulder of the guide member and the body.

5. The door system of claim 1, wherein the cam body is a cylindrical portion of the second portion of the carriage and the cam profile is a helical groove formed on the outer surface of the cylindrical portion.

6. The door system of claim 1, wherein the seal bar has a lip protruding from the body that extends along an entire length of the seal bar.

7. The door system of claim 6, wherein the lip is slidably received within a slot formed in the bottom rail.

8. The door system of claim 1, wherein the first carriage portion is attached to a thermal break of the bottom rail.

9. The door system of claim 1, wherein the door is coupled to the first carriage portion at the middle of the bottom rail.

10. A door, comprising: a carriage including a first carriage portion that is rotatable about an axis relative to a second carriage portion, the second carriage portion including a plurality rolling elements and a cam body defining a cam profile; a bottom rail attached to the first carriage portion and rotatable about the axis; a seal bar coupled to the bottom rail and moveable relative to the bottom rail between upper and lower positions, the seal bar including: a body; a seal member coupled to the body; and a follower assembly mounted to the body and including a follower engaged with the cam profile, the cam profile being shaped such that, as the door rotates in a first rotationaldirection, the cam follower lifts the seal bar towards the upper position, and, as the bottom rail rotates in a second rotational direction, the cam follower lowers the seal bar towards the lower position.

11. The door of claim 10, wherein the follower assembly further includes: a base mounted to an upper surface of the body and including a bore, the cam follower being mounted to or integral with the base; and a guide member fixed to the bottom rail that is disposed in the bore, wherein the base moves vertically relative to the guide member as the seal bar is moved between the upper and lower positions.

12. The door of claim 11, further comprising: a spring disposed around the guide member that is configured to bias the seal bar towards the lower position.

13. The door of claim 10, wherein the cam body is a cylindrical portion of the second portion of the carriage and the cam profile is a helical groove formed on the outer surface of the cylindrical portion.

14. The door of claim 10, wherein the seal bar has a lip protruding from the body that extends along the length of the seal bar that is slidably received within a slot formed in the bottom rail.

15. An assembly for a door, comprising: a carriage including a first carriage portion that is rotatable about an axis relative to a second carriage portion, the second carriage portion including a plurality of rolling elements and a cam body defining a cam profile; and a seal bar rotatable about the axis and vertically moveable relative to the carriage between upper and low er positions, the seal bar including: a body; a seal member coupled to the body; and a follow er assembly mounted to the body and including a follower engaged with the cam profile, the cam profile being shaped such that, as the door rotates in a first rotationaldirection, the cam follower lifts the seal bar towards the upper position, and, as the bottom rail rotates in a second rotational direction, the cam follower lowers the seal bar towards the lower position.

16. The assembly of claim 15, wherein the follower assembly further includes: a base mounted to an upper surface of the body and including a bore, the cam follower being mounted to or integral with the base; and a guide member disposed in the bore, wherein the base moves vertically relative to the guide member as the seal bar is moved between the upper and lower positions.

17. The assembly of claim 16, further comprising: a spring disposed around the guide member that is configured to bias the seal bar towards the lower position.

18. The assembly of claim 15, wherein the cam body is a cylindrical portion of the second portion of the carriage and the cam profile is a helical groove formed on the outer surface of the cylindrical portion.

19. The assembly of claim 15, wherein the seal bar has a lip protruding from the body that extends along the length of the seal bar.

20. The assembly of claim 15, further comprising first and second guide members disposed in a respective opening formed in the body on opposing sides of the follower assembly, wherein the seal bar is vertically moveable relative to the first and second guide members.

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