Door assist mechanism for vertically stacking doors

Abstract

In example implementations, a vertically stacking panel door system is provided. The vertically stacking panel door system includes a horizontal door guide, a door assist mechanism coupled to the horizontal door guide, and a door including a plurality of panels, wherein the plurality of panels are horizontally stacked in the horizontal door guide and the door assist mechanism assists a movement of the plurality of panels out of the horizontal door guide by an ejecting force that is applied to the plurality of panels.

Description

DOOR ASSIST MECHANISM FOR VERTICALLY STACKING DOORSBACKGROUND

[0001] Overhead doors can be used for a variety of applications. For example, overhead doors can be used as garage doors in residential locations or as doors for bays and entrances to warehouses, retail stores, and restaurants in commercial locations.

[0002] Some overhead doors may be pulled open through a counterbalance system that includes a motor, a torsion spring, a rotating shaft connected to the motor and torsion spring, and a cable / strap system that connects the bottom section of a door to the rotating shaft. Other types of overhead doors can be operated using a non-spring mechanism. A door contains multiple sections that attach to adjacent sections with hinges. Through the movement of the counterbalance system, the door moves along a track. Typically, the moving door can be moved along the track, as the sections of the door are connected by hinges, to lay horizontally with the floor along the track. If a door has door sections that are connected by hinges to assist in moving the sections along the track, then the design of the counterbalance system and the track are sufficient to open and close the door.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0003] FIG. 1 illustrates an isometric view of an example of the vertically stacking panel door of the present disclosure;

[0004] FIG. 2 illustrates a backside view of an example of the verticallystacking panel door of the present disclosure (e.g., viewing from inside the building to outside the building);

[0005] FIG. 3 illustrates a side view of an example of the vertically stacking panel door of the present disclosure;

[0006] FIG. 4 illustrates a side view of an example slider plate on a panel of the vertically stacking panel door of the present disclosure;

[0007] FIG. 5 illustrates an example pusher spring as a door assist mechanism of the present disclosure;

[0008] FIG. 6 illustrates another example pusher spring as a door assist mechanism of the present disclosure;

[0009] FIG. 7 illustrates an example conical spring as a door assist mechanism of the present disclosure;

[0010] FIG. 8 illustrates an example of a spring and spool as a door assist mechanism of the present disclosure;

[0011] FIG. 9 illustrates an example of the spring and spool of the present disclosure when then the door is in an open position;

[0012] FIG. 10 illustrates an example of the spring and spool of the present disclosure while the door is closing;

[0013] FIG. 11 illustrates an example of the spring and spool of the present disclosure when the door is in a closed position;

[0014] FIG. 12 illustrates an exploded view of the components of the spring and spool of the present disclosure;

[0015] FIG. 13 illustrates an isometric view of the components of the spring and spool of the present disclosure when assembled; and

[0016] FIG. 14 illustrates an example of a spring-loaded cable system as a door assist mechanism of the present disclosure.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0017] There is a desire to have doors which can act as both a way to enter and exit a space, but also as a decorative, movable wall structure. These types of doors must be visually appealing and also take up minimal space when retracted into an open position. One approach to such a need is to provide adoor where the door sections are maintained and stored in a vertical orientation, or a vertically stacking panel door system.

[0018] The vertically stacking panel door system may comprise door panels that do not utilize hinges between the door panels. Further, the vertically stacking panel door system may not utilize a counterbalance system with a torsion spring. Examples described herein provide examples of a door assist mechanism for vertically stacking doors. With the vertical stacking of the panels in a horizontal track guide when the door is in an open position, a closing event of the door requires more than the movement of the bottom most panel of the door. The subsequent panels require gravitational forces as well as momentum to complete the closing event of the door. Insufficient momentum may cause a panel to get stuck in the horizontal track guide.

[0019] Each panel may be moved one panel at a time from the horizontal track guide to the vertical track guide. Only the bottom most panel is connected to a cable / strap which provides the forces needed to start an opening or closing event of the door. The remainder of the door panels require gravitational forces and momentum during a closing event to move. As each panel transitions from the horizontal track guide to the vertical track guide, there is a potential for a panel to get stuck in the horizontal track guide or a panel interface zone while a previous panel moves further down the vertical track guide.

[0020] The door assist mechanism of the present disclosure provides a force to provide additional momentum to move the panels out of the horizontal track guide into the vertical track guide when the door is closed. The door assist mechanism may be a mechanical structure that provides a constant or continuous force on the panels out of the horizontal track guide. When the door is opened, the force of the strap on the last panel is sufficient to counteract the force applied by the door assist mechanism when the door is opened. When the door is closed and the last panel is moved from the horizontal track guide the force applied by the door assist mechanism is sufficient to move the remaining panels out of the horizontal track guide.

[0021] FIG. 1 illustrates an isometric view of an example vertically stacking panel door system 100 of the present disclosure. The vertically stacking paneldoor system 100 may include a door 102 installed in an opening of a building structure or wall 160. The door 102 comprises a plurality of vertically stacking disconnected panels 1081 to 108n(hereinafter also referred to individually as a panel 108 or collectively as panels 108). The door 102 may be opened by moving the panels 108 vertically along a track or track system. The track system may include different track portions that define a path along which the panels 108 may move to open and close the door 102.

[0022] In one embodiment, the track may include opposing vertical track guides 104i and 1042 (hidden by optional guide covers 164 and 166 in FIG. 1 and shown in FIGs. 2 and 3), a horizontal track guide 106, and a panel interface zone 114. The horizontal track guide 106 includes a first horizontal track portion 110 (also referred to herein as an upper horizontal track 110) and a second horizontal track portion 112 (also referred to herein as a lower horizontal track 112). The opposing vertical track guides may include a first vertical track 104i on a first side hidden in FIG. 1 by the guide cover 164 and a second vertical track 1042 on a second side hidden by the guide cover 166. When present, the guide covers 164 and 166 may be flush with the opening in the building structure or wall 160 or may be adjacent to the opening in the building structure or wall 160. When the optional guide covers 164 and 166 are not present, the opposing vertical track guides 104i and 1042 may be surface mounted adjacent to the opening in the building structure or wall 160.

[0023] The panel interface zone 114 defines a transitional area between the vertical track guide 104 and the horizontal track guide 106. The panel interface zone 114 provides the means for guiding the panels 108 during an opening or closing event, such as lifting and separating the plurality of panels 108 when the door 102 is opening and aligning and placing the plurality of panels 108 in tangential connection when the door 102 is closing. As the panels 108 are separated, the panels 108 can be stacked along the horizontal track guide 106. As the panels 108 are aligned and tangentially connected, the panels 108 can be stacked in a vertical orientation along the opposing vertical track guides 104.

[0024] In one embodiment, the first track 110 and the second track 112 may be slightly angled from a horizontal orientation (relative to the floor). The anglesmay be between 1 ° and 15°, such as 10°, 9°, 8°, 7°, 6°, 5°, 4°, 3°, 2°, and 1 °, and may allow the door 102 and panels 108 to be slightly biased toward the panel interface zone 114 and the vertical tracks 104i and 1042.

[0025] In one embodiment, the door 102 may be closed by moving the panels 108 towards the vertical track guide 104. Mechanical assistance is provided to the bottom most panel 1081 of the door 102 and the remainder of the panels 108nmove by gravitational forces and momentum. The panels 108 may be stacked on top of one another as the door 102 is closed.

[0026] In one embodiment, the vertically stacking panel door system 100 may include a counterbalance system 154. The counterbalance system 154 may include a drum 152, a barrel 153, and a motor 156. The counterbalance system 154 may also include a strap / cable (not shown) that is coupled to the drum 152 and the bottom most panel 108 (e.g., panel 1081 in FIG. 1 ). The drum 152 may be coupled to the motor 156 and powered by the motor 156 or may be manually operated to rotate. The counterbalance system 154 may further comprise a torsion spring 157. When the drum 152 is operated to open the door 102, the drum 152 may pull the bottom most panel 108 up by a strap / cable with the torsion spring providing forces to assist in the pull. When the drum 152 is operated to close the door 102, the drum 152 may rotate in an opposite direction to allow the bottom most panel 108 to descend through the panel interface zone 114 and down the opposing vertical track guides 104 into a closed position. If a torsion spring is present, when the drum 152 is operated to close the door 102, the drum 152 may rotate in an opposite direction to apply tension to the torsion spring and to allow the bottom most panel 108 to descend through the panel interface zone 114 and down the opposing vertical track guides 104 into a closed position.

[0027] In one embodiment, the vertically stacking panel door system 100 may include door assist mechanism 180. The door assist mechanism 180 may be a mechanical structure that is located on one or both of the horizontal track guides 106. In one embodiment, the door assist mechanism 180 may be located between the first horizontal track portion 110 and the second horizontal track portion 112. In another embodiment, the door assist mechanism 180 mayinclude a plurality of different components deployed in the horizontal track guides 106.

[0028] When the door 102 is opened, the force of the strap / cable on the last panel 108nis sufficient to counteract the force applied by the door assist mechanism 180 when the door 102 is opened. When the door 102 is closed and bottom most panel 1081 is moved from the horizontal track guide 106 the force applied by the door assist mechanism 180 is sufficient to move the remaining panels 108 out of the horizontal track guide 106.

[0029] In one embodiment, the door assist mechanism 180 may provide a continuous force against the panels 108 that are in the horizontal track guides 106. Then the bottom most panel 1081 is moved into the vertical track guides 104i and 1042 during a closing operation, the force applied by the door assist mechanism 180 may help eject the remaining panels 108 out of the horizontal track guides 106.

[0030] In one embodiment, the door assist mechanism 180 may provide a constant force. In another embodiment, the door assist mechanism 180 may provide a dynamic force. In other words, the amount of force applied by the door assist mechanism 180 may change as each panel 108 leaves the horizontal track guides 106. This may ensure that each panel 108 exits the panel 108 with an amount of force to prevent the panels 108 from crashing into one another as door 102 is closed. The amount of force may vary from panel to panel.

[0031] In one embodiment, the door assist mechanism 180 may be a spring. For example, the door assist mechanism 180 may be a metal pusher spring, a conical spring, and the like. Various examples of different types of springs that can be used for the door assist mechanism 180 are illustrated in FIGs. 5-7 and discussed in further details below.

[0032] FIG. 2 illustrates a front view of the vertically stacking panel door system 100. FIG. 2 shows a front view without the motor 156, guide covers 164 and 166, and the wall 160. The vertical track guides 104i and 1042 may be visible in FIG. 2. FIG. 3 illustrates a side view of the vertically stacking panel door system 100. FIG. 3 shows the side view without the motor 156, guidecovers 164 and 166, or the wall 160.

[0033] FIG. 4 illustrates a close-up side view of a panel 108 and the horizontal track guide 106. FIG. 4 illustrates an example of the door assist mechanism 180. In one embodiment, the door assist mechanism 180 may include a mounting member 182 and a spring member 184. The mounting member 182 and the spring member 184 may have a generally square or rectangular shape. However, it should be noted that the mounting member 182 and the spring member 184 may have any shape.

[0034] The mounting member 182 may be coupled to the horizontal track guide 106 between the first horizontal track portion 110 and the second horizontal track portion 112. The spring member 184 may be positioned approximately perpendicular to the mounting member 182 to form an “L” shape. The mounting member 182 and the spring member 184 may be formed from a single piece of spring metal.

[0035] In one embodiment, the spring metal may be any type of metal that may be cut to a particular thickness that may provide some flexibility. Examples of spring metals may include alloy steel, carbon steel, cobalt-nickel, a nickel base alloy, titanium, stainless steel, a copper base alloy, and the like.

[0036] When the spring member 184 is slightly bent away from the vertical tracks 104i and 1042 (e.g., in a direction towards the right side of the page), the spring member 184 have a restorative spring force that wants to return to a default position. The default position may be when the spring member 184 is at approximately 90 degrees relative to the mounting member 182. When, the bottom most panel 1081 is ejected out of the horizontal track guide 106, the restorative force of the spring member 184 may push the remaining panels 108 out of the horizontal track guide 106 and down the vertical track guides 104i and 1042 to close the door 102.

[0037] In one embodiment, one or more of the panels 108 may have a slider plate 404 located on a backside 402 of the panel 108. In one embodiment, the slider plate 404 may be a sacrificial material to prevent damage to an end of the panel 108 from interaction with the spring member 184 of the door assist mechanism 180. In one embodiment, the slider plate 404 may be fabricatedfrom a thermoplastic, such an acetyl polymer (homopolymer or copolymer), such as Delrin®, olefins such as a polyethylene, or a polypropylene; an elastomer such as a polyurethane or silicone; or a thermoplastic olefin such as ethylene propylene rubber or ethylene propylene diene monomer rubber (EPDM). The slider plate 404 may have a generally rectangular shape that is coupled to the backside of the end cap of the panel 108 with a surface area that is larger than the contact area between the door assist mechanism 180 and the panel 108 surface or the end cap structure of the panel 108.

[0038] FIG. 5 illustrates another example of the door assist mechanism 180. In one embodiment, the door assist mechanism 180 may include a mounting member 502, a first member 504, a second member 506, and a third member 508. In one embodiment, the mounting member 502, the first member 504, the second member 506, and the third member 508 may be fabricated from a single piece of spring steel. The mounting member 502, the first member 504, the second member 506, and the third member 508 may each have a generally square or rectangular shape.

[0039] In one embodiment, the mounting member 502 may be coupled to the horizontal track guide 106 and located between the first horizontal track portion 110 and the second horizontal track portion 112. The first member 504 may have a rectangular shape and an end of the first member 504 may be coupled to an end of the mounting member 502 at approximately 90 degrees. In other words, the first member 504 may extend perpendicularly from an end of the mounting member 502 and extend away from the horizontal track guide 106. A plane of the first member 504 may be parallel with a plane of the panel 108 when the panel 108 is in the vertical track guides 104i and 1042.

[0040] The second member 506 may have a generally rectangular shape. The second member 506 may a width that is wider than a width of the first member 504 and the third member 508. A first end of the second member 506 may be coupled to a bottom edge of the first member 504. The second member 506 may be coupled to the first member 504 such that a plane of the second member 506 and a plane of the first member 504 form an angle 510 that is greater than 90 degrees. For example, the angle 510 may be approximately100 degrees to 140 degrees.

[0041] In one embodiment, the third member 508 may have a generally rectangular shape. The third member 508 may have dimensions that are similar to the first member 504. A long edge of the third member 508 may be coupled to a second end of the second member 506. The third member 508 may be coupled to the second member 506 such that a plane of the third member 508 and a plane of the second member 506 form an angle 512 that is greater than 90 degrees. For example, the angle 512 may be approximately 100 degrees to 140 degrees. A plane of the third member 508 may be parallel to a plane of the first member 504.

[0042] When, the door 102 is opened, the panels 108 may enter the horizontal track guide 106 and interact with the third member 508. As additional panels 108 enter the horizontal track guide 106, the third member 508 may begin to move closer to the first member 504. For example, the angles 510 and 512 may begin to shrink. As the angles 510 and 512 decrease (e.g., become less than 90 degrees), the restorative force of the door assist mechanism 180 may increase.

[0043] When the door 102 is closed and the bottom most panel 1081 is removed from the horizontal track guide 106, the restorative force of the door assist mechanism 180 may provide enough force to assist in ejecting the remaining panels 108 out of the horizontal track guide 106. For example, the restorative force may cause the angles 510 and 512 to return to the initial angles that are greater than 90 degrees.

[0044] FIG. 5 also illustrates a back view of the slider plate 404. The slider plate 404 may have a length that is approximately the same as the length of the end cap of the panel. The slider plate 404 may have a width that is sufficient to protect the end cap from damage. For example, the slider plate 404 may have a width that is greater than the width of the third member 508 and less than or equal to a width of the end cap.

[0045] FIG. 6 illustrates another example of the door assist mechanism 180. In one embodiment, the door assist mechanism 180 illustrated in FIG. 6 may include a mounting member 602, a first member 604, and a second member606. The mounting member 602, the first member 604, and the second member 606 may be fabricated from a single piece of spring steel. The mounting member 602, the first member 604, and the second member 606 may each have a generally square or rectangular shape.

[0046] In one embodiment, the mounting member 602 may be coupled to the horizontal track guide 106 and located between the first horizontal track portion 110 and the second horizontal track portion 112. The first member 604 may have a rectangular shape and a first end of the first member 604 may be coupled to an end of the mounting member 602 at an angle 610 that is greater than 90 degrees. In other words, the first member 604 may be positioned to extend away from the horizontal track guide 106 and towards the panel 108. For example, the angle 610 may be approximately 100 degrees to 140 degrees.

[0047] The second member 606 may have a generally rectangular shape.An end of the second member 606 may be coupled to a second end of the first member 604. The second member 606 may be coupled to the first member 604 such that a plane of the second member 606 and a plane of the first member 604 form an angle 612. The angle 612 may be greater than 90 degrees. For example, the angle 612 may be approximately 100 degrees to 140 degrees. The angle 612 may be set such that in a default or resting position, a plane of the second member 606 is parallel to a plane of the panel 108. Said another way, the plane of the second member 606 may be perpendicular to a plane of the mounting member 602.

[0048] When, the door 102 is opened, the panels 108 may enter the horizontal track guide 106 and interact with the second member 606. As additional panels 108 enter the horizontal track guide 106, the first member 604 and the second member 606 may begin to move towards the mounting member 602 or further into the horizontal track guide 106 (e.g., in a direction that move to towards the right of the page). For example, the angles 610 and 612 may begin to shrink. As the angles 610 and 612 decrease, the restorative force of the door assist mechanism 180 may increase.

[0049] When the door 102 is closed and the bottom most panel 1081 is removed from the horizontal track guide 106, the restorative force of the doorassist mechanism 180 may provide enough force to assist in ejecting the remaining panels 108 out of the horizontal track guide 106. For example, the restorative force may cause the angles 610 and 612 to return to the initial angles that are greater than 90 degrees.

[0050] FIG. 7 illustrates another example of the door assist mechanism 180. In one embodiment, the door assist mechanism 180 may be a conical spring. For example, the conical spring may be a spring metal wiring that is coiled into a conical shaped spring. In one embodiment, an end of the conical spring may be coupled to the slider plate 404 of the top most panel 108n. In another embodiment, the conical spring may be coupled to the horizontal track guide 106. For example, a L-shaped bracket (not shown) may be coupled to the horizontal track guide and the conical spring may be coupled to the L-shaped bracket.

[0051] FIG. 8 illustrates another example of the door assist mechanism 180. In one embodiment, the door assist mechanism 180 may include a spring 804 coupled to a fixed track 802 and a spool 806. The spring 804 may be a wound constant spring force that wants to wrap around the spool 806.

[0052] In one embodiment, the fixed track 802 may be located such that the spool 806 contacts a panel 108 along a middle of a height of the panel 108 and at an end between the rollers. In other words, the fixed track 802 may be located in between the first horizontal track portion 110 and the second horizontal track portion 112. Positioning the fixed track 802 such that the spool 806 contacts the middle of the panel 108 may prevent the panel 108 from tipping when exiting the horizontal track guide 106. The fixed track 802 may be mechanically coupled to the horizontal track guide 106 with fasteners (e.g., screws, nuts and bolts, etc.), may be coupled via an adhesive, may be welded onto to the horizontal track guide 106, may be molded or extruded as part of the horizontal track guide 106, and the like.

[0053] The fixed track 802 may have a generally “C” cross-sectional shape. For example, the fixed track 802 may include a body 820 that lies flat on the horizontal track guide 106, a top lip 822 and a bottom lip 824 that extend away from the body 820. The top lip 822 and the bottom lip 824 may be both beperpendicular to the body 820 and parallel to each other. The top lip 822 and the bottom lip 824 may guide the movement of the spool 806 and keep the spool 806 within the fixed track 802 while the spool 806 is moving.

[0054] When, the door 102 is closed, the spring 804 may be wound around the spool 806. When the door 102 is opened, the panels 108 may load into the horizontal track guide 106 and gradually cause the spool 806 to move away from the vertical track guide 104. This may cause the spring 804 to slowly unwrap or uncoil around the spool 806 as the spool 806 moves along the fixed track 802 and away from the vertical track guide 104.

[0055] FIG. 9 illustrates a position of the spool 806 along the fixed track 802 when the door 102 is opened. Notably, the weight of the panels 108 pushes the spool 806 away from the vertical track guides 104. The spring 806 may be unwound from the spool 806.

[0056] FIG. 10 illustrates how the spool 806 moves along the fixed track 802 towards the vertical track guides 104 as the door 102 closes. As the panels 108 exit the horizontal door guide 106, the spring force of the spring 804 is allowed to return to a default coiled or rolled position, thereby causing the spool 806 to roll towards the vertical track guides 104 laterally along the fixed track 802 as the spring 804 re-coils around the spool 806.

[0057] FIG. 11 illustrates a position of the spool 806 along the fixed track 802 when the door 102 is closed. Notably, without the weight of the panels 108 in the horizontal track guide 106, the spring 804 is allowed to completely re-coil around the spool 806.

[0058] FIG. 12 illustrates an exploded view of the components of the door assist mechanism 180 when deployed as a spring and spool system. For example, the fixed track 802 may have a “C” cross-sectional shape formed by the body 820, the top lip 822, and the bottom lip 824, as discussed above. The spring 804 may include openings 808 on an end of the spring 804 where fasteners can be inserted to secure an end of the spring 804 to an end of the fixed track 802.

[0059] The spool 806 may have a generally cylindrical shape. The opposite sides of the cylinder may have outer portions 832 and 834 that may have adiameter that is larger than the diameter of the body 830. The spring 804 may warp around the body 830 of the spool 806. The outer portions 832 and 834 may keep the spring 804 around the body 830. In addition, the spool 806 may roll within the fixed track 802 on the outer portions 832 and 834.

[0060] FIG. 13 illustrates an assembled view of the fixed track 802, the spring 804, and the spool 806. FIG. 13 illustrates a view of the spring 806 fully wound around the spool 806 (e.g., in a position when the door 102 is closed as illustrated in FIG. 11 ). FIG. 13 illustrates fasteners 810 that are inserted through the openings 808 of the spring 804 to secure the spring 804 to the fixed track 802.

[0061] FIG. 14 illustrates another example of the door assist mechanism 180. In one embodiment, the door assist mechanism 180 may include a spring- loaded cable system. The spring-loaded cable system may include a spring- loaded reel 1402. The spring-loaded reel 1402 may be coupled to an end of a cable 1404 and provide a cable take-up system. For example, the spring- loaded reel 1402 may apply a rotation force to continuously try and wind the cable 1404 around the spring-loaded reel 1402. The spring-loaded reel 1402 may rotate in either direction as shown by an arrow 1412.

[0062] In one embodiment, the spring-loaded cable system may also include a plurality of pulleys 1406 and 1408 and a rigid pin 1410. Although two pulleys 1406 and 1408 are illustrated in FIG. 14, it should be noted that any number of pulleys may be deployed.

[0063] A second end of the cable 1404 may be coupled to the rigid pin 1410. The cable 1404 may be fed through the network of pulleys 1406 and 1408 such that the cable 1404 runs against the back side of the top most panel 108n. In one embodiment, the top most panel 108nmay also include a slider plate 404, as illustrated in FIGs. 4 and 5 and discussed above, to protect the back side of the top most panel 108nfrom damage that could be caused by the cable 1404.

[0064] In one embodiment, as the door 102 is opened, the panels 108 may be fed into the horizontal track guide 106. The weight of the panels 108 may slowly increase as the number of panels 108 in the horizontal track guide 106 increases. As the weight increases, the cable 1404 may be unwound from thespring-loaded reel 1402. In other words, a length of the cable 1404 that is unwound from the spring-loaded reel 1402 may gradually increase as the door 102 is opened.

[0065] When the door 102 is closed, the panels 108 may move out of the horizontal track guide 106. As the panels 108 exit the horizontal track guide 106, the spring-loaded reel 1402 may slowly re-wind the cable 1404 around the spring-loaded reel 1402. In other words, the length of the cable 1404 that is removed from the spring-loaded reel 1402 may be gradually shortened as the door 102 closes.

[0066] In one embodiment, the spring-loaded cable system may provide a dynamic amount of force. For example, as the cable 1404 is collected by the spring-loaded reel 1402 as the door 102 closes, the amount of force applied to the panels 108 may become gradually less. For example, a greater amount of force may be required to move all five panels than an amount of force required to move one panel. Thus, although the spring-loaded reel 1402 may re-wind at a constant spring force, the amount of force applied to the panels 108 may dynamically change based on an amount of tension on the cable 1404. This may allow the panels 108 to eject from the horizontal track guide 106 in a smooth manner allowing for more reliable operation.

[0067] Although a few examples of different designs of the door assist mechanism 180 are illustrated in FIGs. 4-14, it should be noted the designs in FIGs. 4-14 should not be considered limiting. The door assist mechanism 180 may be deployed as any mechanical structure formed from spring steel that can provide a continuous force to assist the panels 108 from being ejected out of the horizontal track guide 106 during a closing operation of the door 102.

[0068] Thus, the present disclosure provides a low cost solution to providing additional forces, in addition to gravitational forces, to help eject panels of a vertically stacking panel door out of a horizontal track guide during a closing operation. The door assist mechanism 180 of the present disclosure does not require any additional power, wiring, complex structures, and the like to operate. The door assist mechanism 180 may also be easily retro-fitted to vertical stacking panel door systems that are already installed.

[0069] It will be appreciated that variants of the above-disclosed and other features and functions, or alternatives thereof, may be combined into many other different systems or applications. Various presently unforeseen or unanticipated alternatives, modifications, variations, or improvements therein may be subsequently made by those skilled in the art which are also intended to be encompassed by the following claims.

Claims

CLAIMS1 . A vertically stacking panel door system, comprising: a horizontal door guide; a door assist mechanism coupled to the horizontal door guide; and a door comprising a plurality of panels, wherein the plurality of panels are horizontally stacked in the horizontal door guide and the door assist mechanism assists a movement of the plurality of panels out of the horizontal door guide by an ejecting force that is applied to the plurality of panels.

2. The vertically stacking panel door system of claim 1 , wherein the ejecting force by the door assist mechanism is continuously applied to a panel.

3. The vertically stacking panel door system of claim 2, wherein the ejecting force assists the movement of the plurality of panels out of the horizontal door guide when a motor is activated to close the door.

4. The vertically stacking panel door system of claim 1 , wherein a panel of the plurality of panels comprises a slider plate along a backside of the panel that contacts the door assist mechanism.

5. The vertically stacking panel door system of claim 4, wherein the slider plate comprises a sacrificial material.

6. The vertically stacking panel door system of claim 1 , wherein the door assist mechanism comprises a spring.

7. The vertically stacking panel door system of claim 6, wherein the spring comprises a compression spring.

8. The vertically stacking panel door system of claim 6, wherein the spring comprises a flexible steel spring panel.

9. The vertically stacking panel door system of claim 8, wherein the flexible steel spring panel, comprises: a mounting segment coupled to the horizontal door guide; at least one angled segment to provide the ejecting force when the at least one angled segment is bent from a resting position; and a contact segment that contacts a back side of a panel of the plurality of panels.

10. The vertically stacking panel door system of claim 6, wherein the spring is coupled to a fixed track and a spool.11 . The vertically stacking panel door system of claim 6, wherein the spring comprises a spring-loaded reel coupled to a cable, wherein the cable is fed through at least one pulley.

12. A vertically stacking panel door system, comprising: a horizontal door guide; a spring mechanism coupled to the horizontal door guide; and a door comprising a plurality of panels, wherein the plurality of panels are horizontally stacked in the horizontal door guide and the door assist mechanism assists a movement of the plurality of panels out of the horizontal door guide by an ejecting force that is applied to the plurality of panels.

13. The vertically stacking panel door system of claim 12, wherein the ejecting force is a constant amount of force.

14. The vertically stacking panel door system of claim 12, wherein the ejecting force is a dynamic amount of force.

15. The vertically stacking panel door system of claim 12, wherein the ejecting force assists the movement of the plurality of panels out of thehorizontal door guide when a motor is activated to close the door.

16. The vertically stacking panel door system of claim 12, wherein a panel of the plurality of panels comprises a slider plate along a backside of the panel that contacts the door assist mechanism.

17. A vertically stacking panel door system, comprising: a horizontal door guide; a door assist mechanism coupled to the horizontal door guide; a panel interface zone; a vertical door guide; and a door comprising a plurality of panels, wherein the plurality of panels are horizontally stacked in the horizontal door guide and the door assist mechanism assists a movement of the plurality of panels out of the horizontal door guide by an ejecting force that is applied to the plurality of panels during a closing operation.

18. The vertically stacking panel door system of claim 17, wherein the door assist mechanism comprises a spring.

19. The vertically stacking panel door system of claim 17, wherein the door assist mechanism comprises a spring coupled to a fixed track and a spool.

20. The vertically stacking panel door system of claim 18, wherein the door assist mechanism comprises a spring-loaded reel coupled to a cable, wherein the cable is fed through at least one pulley.

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