Apparatus for accommodating application of a force in excess of a predetermined magnitude and closure employing such apparatus

An apparatus for controlling passage through an opening comprising a movable barrier means for selectively blocking said opening;

• at least one guide means for guiding said movable barrier means;
• and at least one guide follower means for effecting operative connection between said movable barrier means and said at least one guide means, said at least one guide follower means being attached to said movable barrier means and operatively interactive with said at least one guide means to control movement of said movable barrier means;
• each of said at least one guide follower means comprising a first portion attached to said movable barrier means and a second portion, said first portion and said second portion being separable in response to application of a predetermined force to said first portion transverse to said movable barrier means;
• said movable barrier means generally moving in a plane to effect said blocking;
• said first portion and said second portion interfitting to define at least one pair of mating surfaces, each of said at least one pair of mating surfaces being transverse to said plane, said at least one pair of mating surfaces being oriented to allow disengagement of said first portion and said second portion in two directions, said two directions being transverse to said plane;
• each of said at least one guide follower means further comprising a frangible pin means for securing said first portion to said second portion, said frangible pin means intersecting at least one of said at least one pair of mating surfaces, said frangible pin means being configured to fail in response to said application of said predetermined force.

An apparatus for controlling passage through an opening comprising a movable barrier means for selectively blocking said opening;

• at least one guide means for guiding said movable barrier means;
• and at least one guide follower means for effecting operative connection between said movable barrier means and said at least one guide means, said at least one guide follower means being attached to said movable barrier means and operatively interactive with said at least one guide means to control movement of said movable barrier means;
• each of said at least one guide follower means comprising a first portion attached to said movable barrier means and a second portion, said first portion and said second portion being separable in response to application of a predetermined force to said first portion transverse to said movable barrier means;
• said movable barrier means generally moving in a plane to effect said blocking;
• and said first portion and said second portion interfitting to define at least one pair of mating surfaces, each of said at least one pair of mating surfaces being transverse to said plane, said at least one pair of mating surfaces being oriented to allow disengagement of said first portion and said second portion in one direction, said direction being transverse to said plane;
• each of said at least one guide follower means further comprising a frangible pin means for securing said first portion to said second portion, said frangible pin means intersecting at least one of said at least one pair of mating surfaces, said frangible pin means being configured to fail in response to said application of said predetermined force.

An apparatus for accommodating application of a force in excess of a predetermined magnitude to preclude damage to a closure assembly, said closure assembly including a generally planar movable barrier means for controlling access through an opening and at least one guide means disposed about said opening for guiding said movable barrier means, the apparatus comprising at least one guide follower means for operably connecting said movable barrier means and said at least one guide means, each of said at least one guide follower means including a first portion attached to said movable barrier means and a second portion operatively interactive with said at least one guide means, said first portion and said second portion being separable upon said application of said force in excess of said predetermined magnitude in a direction transverse to said movable barrier means;

• one of said first portion and said second portion comprising a generally C-shaped member having a base section, a pair of arms depending from said base section, and a pair of facing arms depending from said arms defining a cavity bounded by said base section, said arms, and said facing arms;
• said facing arms defining a gap between said facing arms, said gap providing an access to said cavity;
• the other of said first portion and said second portion comprising a generally T-shaped member having a base member and a cross member, said generally T-shaped member and said generally C-shaped member being appropriately proportioned whereby said base member may traverse said gap and said cross member may effect operative sliding engagement within said cavity.