Optimized overhead sectional door panel, astragal receiver and associated method

摘要

A panel for an overhead sectional door offers increased performance and economy by optimizing the panel skin. The upper and lower structural rail areas which typically mate with corresponding lower and upper rails of an adjacent panel have thicker skin. The non-structural areas or the front face of the panel in one embodiment has a thinner skin which is typically embossed with a wood grain or other pattern. The structural rail areas which have the thicker skin add rigidity and resistance to deflection from wind loads and similar dynamic forces. The overhead door panel with differing performance characteristics for specific portions of the skin may be utilized with a variety of rail configurations such as a lap joint, tongue and groove joint, and convex/concave joint between adjacent panels. In another aspect, a specific bottom rail section using the variable thickness concept avoids the need for an astragal retainer thereby providing a cost savings while offering structural and strength benefits.