Overhead Door Frame Assembly Splice Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional overhead doors require larger openings and compromise the vertical height of doorways due to the weight being borne by building headers, necessitating complex and labor-intensive welding processes for free-standing frames.

Innovation Solution

A frame assembly with splice assemblies and hinge assemblies that support an overhead door, allowing it to move between upright and horizontal positions, distributing the door's weight and forces to the frame assembly, thereby eliminating the need for the building structure to bear the load, using hydraulic cylinders or motor-driven screws for operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If free-standing headers with legs field welded to the header are used, then the door weight is not subjected to building headers, but the welding process requires welding skills, supplies, labor and time

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedoor weight supportVSAvoidwelding process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the welding process with a mechanical connection system using splice assemblies that incorporate adjustable fasteners, bolts, and alignment features. This substitution eliminates the need for welding skills, supplies, and associated labor while maintaining the structural integrity and load-bearing capacity of the free-standing header system

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The splice assembly acts as an intermediary component between the header and the upright legs, providing a pre-fabricated connection mechanism that eliminates field welding. The splice assembly includes integrated alignment features and fastening mechanisms that simplify the assembly process while maintaining the structural relationship between components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If bi-fold doors are used, then the door can open and close the doorway, but the overall vertical height of the doorway is compromised to compensate for the folded bi-fold door

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedoor opening functionVSAvoiddoorway vertical height

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of folding the door horizontally like bi-fold doors, the patent inverts the opening mechanism by swinging the door upward to a horizontal position above the doorway opening. This inversion allows the door to clear the doorway completely when open, maintaining the full vertical height of the doorway while still providing effective door functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Data Source

PatentUS11448005B2Frame assembly splice

Publication Date: 2022.09.20 SORREL QUARTERS LLC

AI summary

A frame assembly supporting an overhead door has a horizontal header connected to upright columns or posts with splice assemblies. Fasteners mounted on the columns cooperate with retainers on the splice assemblies to position and connect the columns to the header. Hinge assemblies pivotally mount the door on the header for movement between open and closed positions.