Tri-panel sectional doors

Abstract

In example implementations, a door for an overhead door system is provided. The door includes a first panel having a first thickness, wherein the first panel includes a tongue along a top side of the first panel, wherein the tongue is located closer to an interior side of the first panel than an exterior side of the first panel, a second panel having a second thickness, wherein the second panel includes a groove along a bottom side of the second panel, wherein the groove is aligned with the tongue of the first panel, and a screen panel having a third thickness, wherein the screen panel is adjacent to, and aligned with, the second panel and rests on the top side of the first panel, wherein a combination of the second thickness and the third thickness is approximately equal to the first thickness.

Description

TRI-PANEL SECTIONAL 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 doors for bays and entrances to warehouses in commercial locations.

[0002] Some overhead doors can include sections or panels that are coupled together, such as a residential garage door. Commercial applications of overhead doors with sections or panels may also occur.

[0003] Sectional doors may include sections or panels that are connected by hinges. The panels can be controlled by a motor connected to a cable to the bottom most panel. The panels can be guided through a track system. The track system may be a high lift that lifts the panels up vertically or may include a “J” curve that guides the panels into a horizontal position parallel to the ceiling. Generally sectional doors are designed such that all panels are moved together when the door is opened or closed.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0004] FIG. 1 illustrates an isometric view of an interior side of an example overhead door system with a tri-panel design of the present disclosure;

[0005] FIG. 2 illustrates a front view of the interior side of the example overhead door system with the tri-panel design of the present disclosure;

[0006] FIG. 3 illustrates an isometric view of the three different panels of theexample tri-panel design of the present disclosure;

[0007] FIG. 4 illustrates a front view of an exterior side of the door to show the example screen panel of the present disclosure;

[0008] FIG. 5 illustrates a front view of an interior side of the door with the example tri-panel design of the present disclosure;

[0009] FIG. 6 illustrates a cross-sectional side-view of the door with the example tri-panel design of the present disclosure;

[0010] FIG. 7 illustrates a close-up view of all three panels of the example tri- panel design of the present disclosure;

[0011] FIG. 8 illustrates a top view of the example door of the present disclosure;

[0012] FIG. 9 illustrates a close up view of a top of the example screen panel and an example second panel of the present disclosure;

[0013] FIG. 10 illustrates a close-up view of a sheave and cable for springing of the example screen panel of the present disclosure;

[0014] FIG. 11 illustrates a close-up view of a bottom corner of an example bottom panel of the present disclosure;

[0015] FIG. 12 illustrates an isometric view of an example of how cables are connected through various pulley systems of the overhead door system of the present disclosure;

[0016] FIG. 13 illustrates additional details of an example screen panel of the example tri-panel design of the present disclosure;

[0017] FIG. 14 illustrates a flexible frame of the example screen panel of the example tri-panel design of the present disclosure; and

[0018] FIG. 15 illustrates a front view of the interior side of another example overhead door system with the tri-panel design of the present disclosure.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] Examples described herein provide examples of a tri-panel sectional door. In some examples, the tri-panel sectional door can be used as part of an overhead door system. As discussed above, tri-panel sectional door can beused for a variety of applications where there is a need to have the building opening partially blocked or provide ventilation with a screen.

[0020] In some applications, it may be desirable to separate the panels such that only a portion of the door is raised and lowered. For example, in some warehouse or commercial settings, there may be regulations related to worker safety around openings. For example, some openings may be near a dock where there may be a drop-off of several feet, such as 4 feet or more. As a result, some regulations may require a barrier along the opening to prevent injury.

[0021] It may be beneficial to incorporate such a barrier as part of the overhead door system that is already installed in an opening of the warehouse (e.g., a shipping / receiving dock). Thus, a separate barrier does not have to be installed or positioned while the overhead door is opened.

[0022] However, when the panels are separated, there may be an open gap between the raised panels and the panels that remain in the closed position. The open gap may allow environmental elements, insects, and / or debris to flow into the warehouse or building.

[0023] The present disclosure provides a tri-panel sectional door that provides a screen panel between the raised panels and the panels that remain on closed on the floor. The screen panel may allow air-flow, while blocking environmental elements, insects, and / or debris from entering the warehouse or building. The screen panel may be combined with a second panel that is modified, such that the combination of the screen panel and the second panel may have dimensions that are similar to an original panel design. As a result, the combination of the second panel and the screen panel may be deployed with existing tracks and guides. In addition, it may be possible to retro-fit existing sectional doors with the combination of the second panel and screen panel to provide sectional doors that can be separated and include the screen panel of the present disclosure.

[0024] FIG. 1 illustrates a first isometric view of an interior side 160 of an example overhead door system 100 of the present disclosure. In an example,the overhead door system 100 may include a door 102 that is installed in an opening of a wall 114 of a building. The door 102 may be installed in an opening associated with a dock.

[0025] In one embodiment, the door 102 may be a sectional door (e.g., a residential garage door, a commercial sectional door for a dock, and the like). The door 102 may be comprised of a plurality of panels 104i , 1042, 1043, and 1044. The plurality of panels 104i , 1042, 1043, and 1044 may be connected via a plurality of hinges 1061 to 106m. Although four panels are illustrated in FIG. 1 , it should be noted that any number of panels may be coupled together to form the door 102 depending on a particular application or a size of the opening to be covered in the wall 114.

[0026] In one embodiment, the plurality of panels 104i , 1042, 104s, and 1044 may include a first subset of panels 104i and 1042 and a second subset of panels 1043 and 1044. Although FIG. 1 illustrates two panels for the first subset of panels 104i and 1042 and the second subset of panels 104s and 1044, it should be noted that there may be any number of panels in each subset of panels. In addition, although FIG. 1 illustrates the first subset of panels 104i and1042 and the second subset of panels 1043 and 1044 having an equal number of panels, it should be noted that there may be a different number of panels in the first subset and second subset of panels. In addition, the second subset of panels may have more panels than the first subset, or the first subset of panels may have more panels than the second subset.

[0027] In one embodiment, two adjacent panels 1042 and 104s from the two different subsets of panels may be connected by a disconnecting hinge 108. The disconnecting hinge 108 may be a hinge that can be connected to couple the panels 1042 and 104s together and function as a hinge or can be disconnected to allow the panel 1043 to separate from the panel 1042. As a result, the panels1043 and 104s may be opened or lifted separately from the lower panels 104i and 1042. An example of a disconnecting hinge may be found in co-pending PCT Application No. PCT / US24 / 37995, filed on July 15, 2024 and incorporatedherein by its entirety.

[0028] In one embodiment, the panels 1043 and 1044 may include two different panels that are different in dimensions from the panels 104i and 1042. Details of the different panels are discussed in further details below.

[0029] In one embodiment, the overhead door system 100 may include a first control mechanism to control operation of the entire door 102 and a second control mechanism to control operation of the panels 1043 and 1044 when the disconnecting hinge 108 is disconnected. The first control mechanism may include a first drum 122, a second drum 124, and a torsion spring 126. The first drum 122 may be located on a top end of a track 112. The second drum 124 may be located on a top end of a track 110.

[0030] The tracks 110 and 112 may be used to guide the movement of the door 102. the tracks 110 and 112 may be a high lift track that lifts the door 102 vertically. In another embodiment, the tracks 110 and 112 may be a curved track (e.g., with a J-curve) that moves the door 102 into a horizontal position that is parallel to the floor when the door 102 is opened.

[0031] In one embodiment, the first drum 122 and the second drum 124 may also be located on opposite ends of the torsion spring 126. For example, the torsion spring 126 may be coupled to a shaft 127. One end of the shaft 127 may be connected to the first drum 122 and an opposite end of the shaft 127 may be connected to the second drum 124. It should be noted that the shaft 127 may be coupled to a motor or operator (not shown) that may control rotation of the shaft 127 to open and close the door 102.

[0032] In one embodiment, the second control mechanism may include an extension spring 128. The extension spring 128 may be connected via a first pulley system. For example, the first pulley system may include a bracket 146 and a sheave 148 on each side of the door 102. There may be an extension spring 128 connected to the sheave 148 on each side of the door 102. For example, there may be a first extension spring 128 connected to a first sheave 148 on a first side of the door 102 and a second extension spring 128 connectedto a second sheave 148 connected to a second side of the door 102 opposite the first side of the door 102. In another embodiment, the extension spring 128 may be replaced with a dead weight (not shown).

[0033] In one embodiment, a second pulley system may be used to control movement of a screen panel 150, discussed in further details below. The second pulley system may include a first spring reel 118 and a second spring reel 120. The second pulley system may also include a first sheave 1002 and a second sheave 1004.

[0034] FIG. 2 illustrates an interior view of the overhead door system 100. A close-up of the sheave 1004 is illustrated in FIG. 10 and discussed in further details below.

[0035] FIG. 3 illustrates an isometric view of the overhead door system 100 separated to show the three different panels of the tri-panel design of the present disclosure. As noted above, the panels 1043 and 1044 may include two different panels compared to the panels 104i and 1042. For example, the panels 104s and 1044 may include modified panels 105i and 1052 and a screen panel 150.

[0036] FIG. 3 illustrates how the modified panels 105i and 1052 are disconnected from the panels 104i and 1042. The screen panel 150 may remain adjacent to the panel 1042 and the modified panel 105i such that the screen panel 150 fills the opening that would otherwise be formed.

[0037] Referring back to FIG. 2, the first sheave 1002 and the second sheave 1004, the first spring reel 118 and the second spring reel 120 may be located on a top side of the screen panel 150. The first sheave 1002 may be located on a top corner of the screen panel 150 closest to the track 112. The first spring reel 118 may be located away from the first sheave 1002. For example, the first spring reel 118 may be separated from and located further away from the track 112 than the first sheave 1002. Said another way, the first spring reel 118 may be located further towards a center of the top side of the screen panel 150 than the first sheave 1002.

[0038] The second sheave 1004 may be located on a top comer of the screenpanel 150 closest to the track 110. The second spring reel 120 may be located away from the second sheave 1004. For example, the second spring reel 120 may be separated from and located further away from the track 110 than the second sheave 1004. Said another way, the second spring reel 120 may be located further towards a center of the top side of the screen panel 150 than the second sheave 1004. The first sheave 1002, the second sheave 1004, the first spring reel 118, the second spring reel 120, and the cables 188 may be part of the second pulley system to control movement of the screen panel 150.

[0039] As can be seen in FIGs. 1 -3, from the interior side 160 of the door 102, the panels 104i and 1042 may appear the same as the modified panels 105i and 1052. For example, the interior side 160 (or back side) of the panels 104i and 1042 and the modified panels 105i and 1052 may have an identical skin, identical hardware, identical holes for connections, and the like. The only difference between the panels 104i and 1042 and the modified panels 105i and 1052 may be a thickness of the panels, as illustrated in FIG. 7 and discussed below.

[0040] FIG. 4 illustrates an exterior side 170 of the door 102. When viewed from the exterior side 170, the screen panel 150 may be visible. The screen panel 150 may comprise a frame 152. The frame 152 of the screen panel 150 may be fabricated to be a same width 402 and a same length 404 of the combined second subset of panels 1043 and 1044. Said another way, the size of the frame 152 (e.g., the width 402 and the length 404) may be equal to the combined width 402 and combined length 404 of the modified panels 105i and 1052.

[0041] As discussed in further details below with respect to FIGs. 13 and 14, the frame 152 may be fabricated to be flexible. Since the frame 152 does not include separate panels, such as the modified panels 105i and 1052, the frame 152 may be flexible to allow the screen panel 150 to bend around the tracks 110 and 112 if they include a J-curve.

[0042] FIG. 5 illustrates a simplified front view of the interior side 160 of the door 102. FIG. 6 illustrates a cross-sectional side view of the door 102 along lineA-A illustrated in FIG. 5.

[0043] FIG. 6 illustrates panels 104i and 1042, the modified panels 105i and 1052 and the screen panel 150. Notably, the door 102 has a constant thickness 602 from a top of the door 102 down to the bottom of the door 102. In other words, a thickness 602 of the door 102 does not change from the panels 104i and 1042 to the combination of the modified panels 105i and 1052 with the screen panel 150.

[0044] FIG. 7 illustrates a close-up view of an area 700 circled in FIG. 6. The area 700 illustrates an area where the panel 1042 is adjacent to the modified panel 105i and the screen panel 150. In one embodiment, the panel 1042 may have a thickness 702. For example, the thickness 702 of the panel 1042 may be approximately 2 inches. The modified panel 105i may have a thickness 704. The thickness 704 may be approximately 1 3 / 8 inches. The screen panel 150 may have a thickness 706. In one embodiment, the thickness 706 may be approximately 5 / 8 inches.

[0045] As can be seen in FIG. 7, the combined thickness 704 and 706 of the modified panel 105i and the screen panel 150, respectively, may be approximately equal to the thickness 702 of the panel 104i . Using the numerical examples above, a combined thickness 704 and 706 of the modified panel 105i and the screen panel 150 may be approximately 2 inches, which is the same as the 2 inch thick panel 104i . However, it should be noted that the panel 1042, the modified panel 105i, and the screen panel may have any thickness 702, 704, and 706 for a particular application or design. The tri-panel design of the present disclosure ensures that the combined thickness 704 and 706 of the modified panels 105i and the screen panel 150 is approximately equal to the thickness 702 of the panel 1042.

[0046] In one embodiment, the tri-panel design of the present disclosure is possible because the location of a tongue 132 and a groove 134. For example, the top side of the panel 1042 may include a tongue 132. The tongue 132 may be located near the back side or interior side 160 of the door 102. Said anotherway, the tongue 132 may be closer to the interior side 160 than the exterior side 170 of the door 102.

[0047] Similarly, the groove 134 may be located on a bottom side of the modified panel 105i . The groove 134 may also be closer to the interior side 160 than the exterior side 170 of the door 102. The groove 134 may also be aligned with the location of the tongue 132. By aligning the tongue 132 and the groove 134 towards the interior side 160 of the door 102, the modified panel 105i may include the same hardware, connection points, and / or holes as the panel 1042. This provides space towards the exterior side 170 of the door 102 that can be used for the screen panel 150 without interfering with the assembly and function of the door 102 with the modified panels 105i .

[0048] FIG. 8 illustrates a top view of the door 102. FIG. 8 illustrates how the screen panel 150 may abut against, or lay flat against, the modified panel 1052. The spring reels 118 and 120 are also illustrated in FIG. 8. The spring reels 118 and 120 may be connected to a cable that helps to control movement of the screen panel 150 (illustrated in FIG. 12 and discussed below). The spring reels 118 and 120 may help re-wind the cables around the spring reels 118 and 120 to move the screen panel 150 back into a position adjacent to the modified panel 105i and 1052 when the modified panels 105i and 1052 are separated from the screen panel 150.

[0049] FIG. 9 illustrates a close-up view of an area 900 circled in FIG. 8. In one embodiment, an end stile 158 may be coupled to the ends of the modified panels 105i and 1052.

[0050] In one embodiment, the end stile 158 may also include a guide channel 154. The guide channel 154 may have a generally U-shaped crosssection. The guide channel 154 may be located on a back side or towards the exterior side 170 of the end stile 158. The guide channel 154 may be located such that the guide channel 154 is aligned with an edge of the screen 150.

[0051] In one embodiment, each end of the screen panel 150 may include a guide rail 156. The guide rail 156 may be a member that extends towards theguide channel 154 and away from an end of the screen panel 150. The guide rail 156 may be aligned with the guide channel 154 and move within the guide channel 154. The guide channel 154 may guide movement of the screen panel 150.

[0052] In other embodiments, a wheel may be used instead of the guide rail 156. In other embodiments, a combination of wheels and the guide rail 156 may be used to guide movement of the screen panel 150 within the channel 154.

[0053] The end stile 158 may further include a hinge, the hinge having a sleeve into which rollers 180 may be inserted. The rollers 180 are positioned inside of the tracks 110 and 112. The rollers 180 may move within the tracks 110 and 112 to guide movement of the modified panels 105i and 1052.

[0054] FIG. 10 illustrates a close-up view of an area 1000 circled in FIG. 2. FIG. 10 illustrates a close up view of the sheave 1004. In one embodiment, a sheave bracket 1006 may be coupled to a top side of the screen panel 150. It should be noted that a sheave bracket 1006 may also be coupled to the top side on an opposite end of the screen panel 150 where the sheave 1002 is located. The sheave 1004 may be rotatably coupled to the sheave bracket 1006.

[0055] FIG. 10 also illustrates how the guide rail 156 may extend beyond a top side of the screen panel 150 and the top most modified panel 1052. Having the guide rail 156 extend beyond the top side of the screen panel 150 may ensure that the guide rail 156 is always in contact with a portion of the guide channel 154 even when the modified panels 105i and 1052 are separated and lifted above the screen panel 150.

[0056] FIG. 10 also illustrates a cable 188. The cable 188 may have one end coupled to the spring reel 120. The cable 188 may then be routed through the sheave 1004. A second end of the cable 188 may be coupled to the screen panel 150 via an s-hook or an eye bolt (not shown). Similarly, another cable 188 may have one end coupled to the spring reel 118 and routed through the sheave 1002 and a second end coupled to the screen panel 150 via an s-hook or an eye bolt (not shown).

[0057] FIG. 11 illustrates a close-up view of an area 130 circled in FIG. 1 .FIG. 11 illustrates an example of a bottom bracket 140. The bottom bracket 140 may be coupled to the bottom most modified panel 105i to connect to a cable 190 (illustrated in FIG. 12) that is part of the second control mechanism that includes the first pulley system, as described above, or may be coupled to a bottom most panel 104i to connect to an end of a cable 192 (illustrated in FIG. 12) associated with the first control mechanism to control operation of the entire door 102. In one embodiment, the bottom bracket 140 may be coupled to a bottom end of the end stile 158 of the bottom most panel 104i or the bottom most modified panel 105i. The bottom bracket 140 may include a saddle 144 to secure a roller 180.

[0058] In one embodiment, the bottom bracket 140 may include a cable attachment point 142. The cable attachment point 142 may be a member or a tab that protrudes away from a side 1102 of the bottom bracket 140. In one embodiment, the cable attachment point 142 may include an opening 1104 to allow a second end of the cable (e.g., the cable 190 or the cable 192) to be fed through the opening and wrapped around the cable attachment point 142 to secure the second end of the cable.

[0059] FIG. 12 illustrates an isometric view of an example of how cables 190 and cables 192 are connected and / or routed through the first control mechanism and the second control mechanism of the overhead door system 100. FIG. 12 illustrates a portion view of the door 102. The spring reel 118 and the sheave 1002 can be seen in FIG. 12

[0060] As noted above, the first control mechanism may include a first drum 122, a second drum 124, and a torsion spring 126. A first end of a first cable 192 may be coupled to the first drum 122. The first cable 192 may then be routed down to the cable attachment point 142 of a bottom bracket 140 coupled to a first end of the bottom most panel 104i. A first end of a second cable 192 may be coupled to the second drum 124. The second cable 192 may then be routed down to the cable attachment point 142 of another bottom bracket 140 coupled toa second end of the bottom most panel 104i .

[0061] The second control mechanism may use one or more cables 190. In one embodiment, the cables 190 may be routed through the bracket 146 and the sheave 148 and down to the cable attachment point 142 of the bottom bracket 140 on opposite ends of the bottom most modified panel 105i. In other words, there may be two separate cables 190. A first cable 190 that is routed through a first bracket 146 and a first sheave 148 on a first side of the door 102 and a second cable 190 that is routed through a second bracket 146 and a second sheave 148 on a second side of the door 102.

[0062] In one embodiment, each side of the second control mechanism may also include an extension spring 128. For example, an extension spring 128 may be coupled to a sheave 148 on each side of the door 102. The extension springs 128 may provide a counter force to the first control mechanism as the door 102 is opened and closed. In one embodiment, the extension springs 128 may be replaced with a dead weight (now shown).

[0063] FIG. 13 illustrates additional details of the screen panel 150 of the present disclosure. In one embodiment, the screen panel 150 may include the frame 152. The frame 152 may include a combination of rails 1302, 1304, and 1306 and rods or stiles 1308, 1310, 1312, and 1314. In one embodiment, the rail 1304 may be a center rail and may be optional.

[0064] In one embodiment, the stiles 1308 and 1310 may be coupled together via a joint. The stiles 1312 and 1314 may also be coupled together via a joint. In one embodiment, the frame 152 may also include rods 13161 to 1316i (also referred to herein individually as a rod 1316 or collectively as rods 1316). Although shown as rods in FIG. 13, it should be noted that the rods 1316 may also have a rectangular shape.

[0065] The rods 1316 may be coupled to joints in the rail 1304. In one embodiment, the stiles 1308, 1310, 1312, 1314, and the rods 1316 may provide structural support, but have flex to allow the stiles 1308, 1310, 1312, 1314, and the rods 1316 to curve or bend. For example, 1308, 1310, 1312, 1314, and therods 1316 may be composite materials such as fiberglass or carbon fiber.

[0066] FIG. 14 illustrates how the frame 152 is flexible when the modified panels 105i and 1052 are hinged around a curved track. For example, the stiles 1308, 1310, 1312, and 1314 may include the guide rails 156. The guide rails 156 on the stiles 1308, 1310, 1312, and 1314 may bend within the guide channel 154 as the modified panels 105i and 1052 travel around a curved portion of the tracks 110 and 112 (tracks not shown in FIG. 14).

[0067] In contrast, the rods 1316 are not fixed to the tracks 110 and 112. The rods 1316 may also be designed to bend or curve as the frame 152 travels around a curved portion of the tracks 110 and 112. The curve in the rods 1316 can be seen in FIG. 14.

[0068] FIG. 15 illustrates a front view of the interior side 160 of another embodiment of an overhead door system 1500 of the present disclosure. The overhead door system 1500 may be similar to the overhead door system 100 in all respects except the second control mechanism. For example, the overhead door system 1500 may include the door 102 that is installed in an opening of the wall 114 of a building.

[0069] The door 102 may be a sectional door that comprises a plurality of panels 104i, 1042, 1043, and 1044. The plurality of panels 104i, 1042, 104s, and 1044 may be connected via a plurality of hinges 1061 to 106m.

[0070] Similar to the overhead door system 100, the overhead door system 1500 may include a first subset of panels 104i and 1042 and a second subset of panels 104s and 1044. The second subset of panels 104s and 1044 may include modified panels 105i and 1052 and the screen panel 150 described above.

[0071] The first control mechanism may be similar to the first control mechanism of the overhead door system 100. For example, the first control mechanism may include the first drum 122, the second drum 124, and a first torsion spring 126. A cable routed through the first control mechanism may be coupled to the bottom most panel 104i and the first control mechanism may be used to open and close the entire door 102.

[0072] However, the second control mechanism in the overhead door system 1500 may include a drum 1504, a drum 1506, and a second torsion spring 1502. In other words, the extension spring 128 or dead weights of the overhead door system 100 may be replaced with the second torsion spring 1502 in the overhead door system 1500. One of the cables 190 on a first side the door 102 illustrated in FIG. 12 may be connected to the drum 1504 and a first side of the bottom most modified panel 105i. A second one of the cables 190 on a second side of the door 102 illustrated in FIG. 12, may be connected to the drum 1506 and a second side of the bottom most modified panel 105i. The second torsion spring 1502 may be used to control operation of the second subset of panels 1043 and 1044 (e.g., the modified panels 105i and 1052 and the screen panel 150).

[0073] In one embodiment, the second torsion spring 1502 may be located in an offset position relative to the first torsion spring 126. For example, the second torsion spring 1502 may be located lower than the first torsion spring 126. The second torsion spring 1502 may also be positioned off-line relative to the first torsion spring 126. In other words, the first torsion spring 126 and the second torsion spring 1502 may not be vertically aligned (e.g., the first torsion spring 126 may be slightly in front of or behind the second torsion spring 1502).

[0074] Thus, the present disclosure provides a tri-panel design for a door of an overhead door system. The tri-panel design may allow a door to be separated such that a portion of the door may be lifted into an open position and another portion of the door may remain on the floor in a closed position. Some of the panels may be modified to include two separate panels that include a screen panel. Thus, when the top panels of the door are separated from the bottom panels, the screen panel may remain between the opened top panels and the bottom panels. The screen panel may allow air flow, while blocking environmental elements, insects, and / or other debris from entering the warehouse or building.

[0075] The design of the top panels that include the modified panel and the screen panel may have a same combined thickness as a traditional panel. As aresult, the tri-panel design may be easily integrated into existing manufacturing methods and retrofitted into already installed overhead doors.

[0076] 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 door for an overhead door system, comprising: a first panel having a first thickness, wherein the first panel comprises a tongue along a top side of the first panel, wherein the tongue is located closer to an interior side of the first panel than an exterior side of the first panel; a second panel having a second thickness, wherein the second panel comprises a groove along a bottom side of the second panel, wherein the groove is aligned with the tongue of the first panel; and a screen panel having a third thickness, wherein the screen panel is adjacent to, and aligned with, the second panel and rests on the top side of the first panel, wherein a combination of the second thickness and the third thickness is approximately equal to the first thickness.

2. The door of claim 1 , further comprising: a hinge connected to the interior side of the first panel and an interior side of the second panel.

3. The door of claim 2, wherein the hinge comprises a disconnecting hinge.

4. The door of claim 1 , further comprising: end stiles coupled to opposite ends of the second panel, wherein each end stile of the end stiles includes a channel.

5. The door of claim 4, wherein each end of the screen panel includes a guide, wherein the guide is located within a respective channel of the end stiles.

6. A door for an overhead door system, comprising: a plurality of panels, wherein the plurality of panels comprises: a first subset of panels comprising a first thickness; anda second subset of modified panels having a second thickness; a screen panel having a third thickness coupled to the second subset of panels; a first control mechanism comprising one or more first cables coupled to a bottom most panel of the first subset of panels; and a second control mechanism comprising one or more second cables coupled to a bottom most panel of the second subset of modified panels.

7. The door of claim 6, wherein a width of the second thickness combined with the third thickness is approximately equal to a width of the first thickness.

8. The door of claim 6, wherein a first panel from the first subset of panels is adjacent to a first modified panel from the second subset of modified panels.

9. The door of claim 8, wherein the first panel comprises a tongue along a top side of the first panel, wherein the tongue is located closer to an interior side of the first panel than an exterior side of the first panel.

10. The door of claim 9, wherein the first modified panel comprises a groove along a bottom side of the first modified panel, wherein the groove is located closer to an interior side of the first modified panel than an exterior side of the first modified panel and is aligned with the tongue of the first panel.11 . The door of claim 6, wherein each one of the second subset of modified panels comprises: end stiles coupled to opposite ends of each one of the second subset of modified panels, wherein each end stile of the end stiles includes a channel.

12. The door of claim 11 , wherein each end of the screen panel includes a guide, wherein the guide is located within a respective channel of the end stiles.

13. The door of claim 6, wherein the screen panel, further comprises: a first spring reel coupled to a first end of a top side of the screen panel; a first sheave bracket coupled to the first end of the top side of the screen panel; a first sheave coupled to the first sheave bracket; a second spring reel coupled to a second end of the top side of the screen panel; a second sheave bracket coupled to the second end of the top side of the screen panel; and a second sheave coupled to the second sheave bracket.

14. The door of claim 6, wherein the screen panel comprises: a flexible frame that can bend as the second subset of modified panels are hinged.

15. The door of claim 6, wherein the second control mechanism, comprises: an extension spring or a dead weight coupled to each side of the door16. The door of claim 6, wherein the first control mechanism is coupled to a first torsion spring and the second control mechanism is coupled to a second torsion spring.

17. An overhead door system, comprising: a track; and a door comprising a plurality of panels, wherein movement of the plurality of panels is guided by the track, wherein the plurality of panels comprises: a first subset of panels comprising a first thickness; and a second subset of modified panels having a second thickness; a screen panel having a third thickness coupled to the secondsubset of panels; a first control mechanism comprising one or more first cables coupled to a bottom most panel of the first subset of panels to control movement of the door; and a second control mechanism comprising one or more second cables coupled to a bottom most panel of the second subset of modified panels to control movement of the second subset of modified panels independent of the first subset of panels.

18. The overhead door of claim 17, wherein the screen panel, further comprises: a first spring reel coupled to a first end of a top side of the screen panel; a first sheave bracket coupled to the first end of the top side of the screen panel; a first sheave coupled to the first sheave bracket; a second spring reel coupled to a second end of the top side of the screen panel; a second sheave bracket coupled to the second end of the top side of the screen panel; and a second sheave coupled to the second sheave bracket.

19. The overhead door of claim 18, wherein the screen panel, further comprises: a first cable, wherein a first end of the first cable is coupled to the first spring reel, routed through the first sheave, and a second end of the first cable is coupled to a first side of the screen panel; and a second cable, wherein a first end of the second cable is coupled to the second spring reel, routed through the second sheave, and a second end of the second cable is coupled to a second side of the screen panel.

20. The overhead door of claim 16, wherein the screen panel comprises: a flexible frame that can bend as the second subset of modified panels are hinged.

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