US 11,668,128 B2
Bi-fold door latch assembly
Michael L. Schweiss, Fairfax, MN (US)
Assigned to Sorrel Quarters, LLC, Hector, MN (US)
Filed by Michael L. Schweiss, Fairfax, MN (US)
Filed on Apr. 1, 2020, as Appl. No. 16/837,867.
Application 16/837,867 is a division of application No. 15/875,776, filed on Jan. 19, 2018, granted, now 10,815,711.
Application 15/875,776 is a division of application No. 15/067,431, filed on Mar. 11, 2016, granted, now 10,053,901, issued on Aug. 21, 2018.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/193,706, filed on Jul. 17, 2015.
Prior Publication US 2020/0256105 A1, Aug. 13, 2020
Int. Cl. E05B 65/00 (2006.01); E05D 15/26 (2006.01); E05F 15/605 (2015.01); E06B 3/48 (2006.01); E05D 13/00 (2006.01); E05F 15/67 (2015.01); E05F 15/681 (2015.01)
CPC E05D 15/264 (2013.01) [E05B 65/0085 (2013.01); E05D 13/1207 (2013.01); E05D 13/1223 (2013.01); E05D 15/262 (2013.01); E05F 15/605 (2015.01); E06B 3/483 (2013.01); E05F 15/67 (2015.01); E05F 15/681 (2015.01); E05Y 2201/43 (2013.01); E05Y 2400/354 (2013.01); E05Y 2600/46 (2013.01); E05Y 2900/106 (2013.01); E05Y 2900/108 (2013.01)] 18 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An apparatus for opening and closing a door opening with a bi-fold door pivotally mounted on a structure having the door opening and upright columns located adjacent opposite sides of the door opening, the bi-fold door having an upper panel, a lower panel, and hinges connecting the upper panel and the lower panel to allow the upper panel and the lower panel to move from an upright closed position to a folded side-by-side open position above the door opening comprising:
door lift devices operable to selectively move the bi-fold door between the closed position and the open position,
door latch assemblies operable to latch the bi-fold door into engagement with the upright columns when the bi-fold door is in the closed position,
a reversible power unit connected to the door lift devices and the door latch assemblies for operating the door lift devices and the door latch assemblies whereby the door lift devices are operable to move the bi-fold door between the closed position and the open position and the door latch assemblies are operable to latch the bi-fold door into engagement with the upright columns when the bi-fold door is in the closed position,
the reversible power unit includes a drive shaft,
the door lift devices having door lift drums secured to the drive shaft,
first straps having first ends and second ends, the first ends being connected to the door lift drums whereby the reversible power unit selectively rotates the drive shaft and the door lift drums to wind the first straps in overlapping relation on the door lift drums and unwind the first straps off the door lift drums,
first anchors configured to be mounted on the bi-fold door and connected to the second ends of the first straps,
the door latch assemblies having door latch drums secured to the drive shaft,
second straps having first ends and second ends, the first ends of the second straps being connected to the door latch drums whereby when the power unit rotates the drive shaft and the door latch drums the second straps wind in overlapping relation on the door latch drums opposite from the overlapping relation of the first straps on the door lift drums and unwind off the door latch drums when the first straps wind on the door lift drums, and
second anchors configured to be mounted on the upright columns and connected to the second ends of the second straps, the power unit being operable to rotate the drive shaft, the door lift drums and the door latch drums to wind the first straps on the door lift drums and unwind the second straps off the door latch drums to open the bi-fold door, the power unit being operable to rotate the drive shaft, the door lift drums and the door latch drums to unwind the first straps off the door lift drums and wind the second straps on the door latch drums to close the bi-fold door and latch the bi-fold door into engagement with the upright columns.