Floating torsion spring tension adjustment system

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10513875-B2
Application number	US-201715673072-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Aug 9, 2017
Priority date	Aug 9, 2017
Publication date	Dec 24, 2019
Grant date	Dec 24, 2019

Abstract

An overhead door having a floating spring adjustment is presented. Tension is applied to a torsion spring while the door is in the open, minimal tension state. One end of the torsion spring is fixed to a spring tension trolley. The trolley translates within a trolley guide mounted to the building structure. The other end of the torsion spring is fixed to a shaft running through the torsion spring. This allows the torsion spring to change in length as the number of coils shrink and grow through door operation thereby eliminating the “snake-like” or serpentine appearance from an improper fixed torsion spring length.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A floating torsion spring tension adjustment system comprising:
a spring trolley assembly comprising a non-movably positioned spring tension trolley guide; a spring tension trolley; and a spring tension casting;
a spring tension casting retainer comprising an engagement section restrictively engaging a casting retaining member which engages the spring tension casting;
a torsion spring; and
a spring assembly shaft passing through the spring tension casting and the torsion spring;
wherein;
the spring tension trolley guide translationally receives the spring tension trolley;
the spring tension trolley and spring tension casting translate on the spring assembly shaft;
the spring tension casting is fixed to a first end of the torsion spring;
the spring tension casting retainer when engaged with the spring tension casting prevents rotation of the spring tension casting; and
a second end of the torsion spring is fixed in a non-movable position to the spring assembly shaft.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the spring tension trolley comprises a first section having an orifice through which the spring assembly shaft passes, and a second section having the spring tension casting retainer and a trolley guide engagement member.

3. The system of claim 2 wherein the spring tension casting retainer engagement section comprises an orifice to restrictively engage the casting retaining member which restrictively engages the spring tension casting when in a retainment position.

4. The system of claim 2 wherein the trolley guide engagement member comprises a guide retaining member to restrictively engage the spring tension trolley guide.

5. The system of claim 4 wherein the guide retaining member comprises a guide engagement member restrictively engaging spring tension trolley guide first and second opposing longitudinal retaining edges.

6. The system of claim 5 wherein the guide engagement member is a wheel.

7. The system of claim 2 further comprising a plurality of casting tensioners circumferentially placed on a spring tension casting first section.

8. An overhead door comprising:
a pair of door guide operatively receiving a door closure;
a spring support bracket supporting a torsion spring, the torsion spring operatively connected to the door;
a first and second bracket supporting a spring assembly shaft;
a door lifting assembly operatively connected to the spring assembly shaft; and
a spring tension adjustment assembly operatively connected to the torsion spring allowing a change in torsion spring length as the torsion spring is tensioned and de-tensioned;
wherein the spring tension adjustment assembly comprises:
a spring trolley assembly comprising a non-movably positioned spring tension trolley guide; a spring tension trolley; and a spring tension casting;
a spring tension casting retainer comprising an engagement section restrictively engaging a casting retaining member which engages the spring tension casting, the torsion spring and a spring assembly shaft passing through the spring tension casting and the torsion spring, wherein;
the spring tension trolley guide translationally receives the spring tension trolley;
the spring tension trolley and spring tension casting translate on the spring assembly shaft;
the spring tension casting is fixed to a first end of the torsion spring;
the spring tension casting retainer when engaged with the spring tension casting prevents rotation of the spring tension casting; and
a second end of the torsion spring is fixed in a non-movable position to the spring assembly shaft.

9. The overhead door of claim 8 wherein the spring tension trolley comprises a first section having an orifice through which the spring assembly shaft passes, and a second section having the spring tension casting retainer and a trolley guide engagement member.

10. The overhead door of claim 9 wherein the spring tension casting retainer engagement section comprises an orifice to restrictively engage the casting retaining member which restrictively engages the spring tension casting when in a retainment position.

11. The overhead door of claim 9 wherein the trolley guide engagement member comprises a guide retaining member to restrictively engage the spring tension trolley guide.

12. The overhead door of claim 11 wherein the guide retaining member comprises a guide engagement member restrictively engaging spring tension trolley guide first and second opposing longitudinal retaining edges.

13. The overhead door of claim 12 wherein the guide engagement member is a wheel.

14. The overhead door of claim 9 further comprising a plurality of casting tensioners circumferentially placed on a spring tension casting first section.

15. A method of floating torsion spring tension adjustment comprising the steps of:
a. operatively connecting a torsion spring to an overhead door;
b. operatively connecting a spring tension adjustment assembly to the torsion spring;
c. allowing the torsion spring to change in length as it is tensioned and de-tensioned;
wherein the spring tension adjustment assembly comprises:
a spring trolley assembly comprising a non-movably positioned spring tension trolley guide; a spring tension trolley; and a spring tension casting;
a spring tension casting retainer comprising an engagement section restrictively engaging a casting retaining member which engages the spring tension casting, the torsion spring and a spring assembly shaft passing through the spring tension casting and the torsion spring, wherein;
the spring tension trolley guide translationally receives the spring tension trolley;
the spring tension trolley and spring tension casting translate on the spring assembly shaft;
the spring tension casting is fixed to a first end of the torsion spring;
the spring tension casting retainer when engaged with the spring tension casting prevents rotation of the spring tension casting; and
a second end of the torsion spring is fixed in a non-movable position to the spring assembly shaft.

Assignees

• Ciw Entpr Inc
• Cornellcookson Llc

Inventors

• Balay Joseph L
• Balay Thomas

Classifications

• E05Y2800/692

  Temporary use, e.g. removable tools · CPC title

• E05D13/1261 Primary

  specially adapted for overhead wings (E05D13/1269 takes precedence) · CPC title

• E05Y2900/132

  Doors · CPC title

• E05Y2201/492

  Fixed Constructions · mapped topic

• E05Y2201/499

  Spring tensioners; Tension sensors · CPC title