Extruded material folding door with panel lock

Abstract

A folding door or other closure comprising a plurality of panels of extruded material each having a male hinge element along one edge thereof and a female hinge element along the other edge thereof with each panel being of unitary, one-piece construction. The hinge elements are so constructed that interconnection and separation of the panels is attained by longitudinal sliding movement of the male and female hinge elements in relation to each other. A locking means is provided in the form of a projecting means associated with one of the hinge elements which engages with recess means associated with the other hinge element to preclude relative longitudinal movement between adjacent panels while permitting relative pivotal movement between adjacent panels. The locking means includes a structure connected with, mounted on or otherwise associated with the female hinge element so that it is stationary in relation thereto and includes a projection which extends into a recess, groove, slot, or similar structure in the male hinge element. The female hinge element may be of generally channel-shaped configuration and may be constructed of plastic material having sufficient resiliency and flexibility to enable deflection thereof sufficient to enable assembly and disassembly of adjacent panels after the locking means is assembled with the channel-shaped female hinge element.