Patent · US Expired

Accordion fold panel guide track

US5522445A · kind A · utility

13Cited by
4References
12Claims
0Family size

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateAug 31, 1994
Grant dateJun 4, 1996
Priority date
Expiry dateAug 31, 2014

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC E)Fixed Constructions
  • CPC primaryE05Y2900/132
  • WIPO fieldCivil engineering
  • WIPO sectorOther fields

Abstract

An accordion fold panel closure, formed of numerous, vertically extending, narrow, hingedly connected blades is suspended from an upper track and has its lower edge engaged within a lower guide track. An extruded channel is formed to function either as an upper or lower track. The channel includes a base, integral side walls, and opposing flanges which partially cover the mouth of the channel. One of the flanges is provided with a laterally opening groove. The lower edges of the panel, at the hinge points, are provided with guide pins that extend into the lower track. The guide pins have laterally extending washers which fit into the groove of one of the flanges and are overlapped by the opposite flange. The track also includes interior wheels receiving channels so that support members having a pair of wheels may be arranged within the upper track for suspending the panel therefrom. The lower pins and their washers may be moved laterally into and out of the groove but always overlapped by the opposite flange, to prevent the panel lower edge from being blown in one direction or sucked in the opposite direction by corresponding positive or negative high wind velocity forces such as t…

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.