Abstract: A self-retracting air compressor assembly includes a motorized pump device that drives in opposing directions. A reservoir tank is in fluid communication with the pump device and stores air pumped by the pump device. The air compressor includes a cord assembly that supplies air and electrical power from the pump device. The air compressor assembly pumps air when the motor is driving in a pumping direction, and self-retracts the cord assembly when the motor is driving in a winding direction.

Abstract: A method and apparatus converts the speed and torque of a motor output and couples the adjusted output to a device or structure, such as a movable barrier. In one example, a conversion apparatus includes a first gear set, a second gear set, a third gear set, and a fourth gear or ring gear. The first gear set may engage a motor output and receive rotational input therefrom. The rotational input is transferred from the first to the second gear set and then to the third gear set, which may engage a ring gear. In one configuration, a carrier is disposed about the gear sets. Carrier fasteners may extend through openings in the third gear set and, as the third gear set travels around the ring gear, the carrier fasteners may revolve around a central axis and rotate a carrier output shaft.

Abstract: Methods of operating a fluid-based spring counterbalance mechanism for a movable barrier are used to support a portion of the weight of the movable barrier. A jackshaft is configured to be operatively coupled to the movable barrier such that rotation of the jackshaft raises or lowers the movable barrier. The jackshaft is operatively coupled to a rotatable input shaft of the fluid-based spring counterbalance mechanism. The rotatable input shaft is coupled to a flexible-walled fluid-based spring. Applying a first force by a movable barrier operator changes the position of the movable barrier, and the flexible-walled fluid-based spring exerts a second force that supports a portion of the weight of the movable barrier in addition to the first force.

Abstract: A motor is configured to operate in one of at least two modes in response to determining that a power provided by a power supply for the motor crosses certain thresholds. For example, first and second windings apply a rotating force to a rotating armature of a single motor. The first and second windings are electrically coupled to first and second commutators, respectively, which transmit power to the first and second windings from a first and second power source, respectively. In other aspects, different power sources power the motor, and the motor operates at different speeds depending on the power source applied. For example, the change in power sources is effected in response to detecting a change in applied power past a threshold, thus effecting the motor's operation in a second, different speed. So configured, a single motor can reduce deployment of bulky and expensive add-on equipment.

Abstract: A movable barrier system wherein the trolley system comprises at least two guiding rail portions. At least one of the guiding rail portions is supported by a support member secured to the headroom area of the building support structure. The trolley traverses the at least two guiding rail portions by a hinged coupling device.

Abstract: Methods of operating a fluid-based spring counterbalance mechanism for a movable barrier are used to support a portion of the weight of the movable barrier. A jackshaft is configured to be operatively coupled to the movable barrier such that rotation of the jackshaft raises or lowers the movable barrier. The jackshaft is operatively coupled to a rotatable input shaft of the fluid-based spring counterbalance mechanism. The rotatable input shaft is coupled to a flexible-walled fluid-based spring. Applying a first force by a movable barrier operator changes the position of the movable barrier, and the flexible-walled fluid-based spring exerts a second force that supports a portion of the weight of the movable barrier in addition to the first force.

Abstract: A hydraulic brake apparatus, a movable barrier apparatus, a hydraulic brake kit, a method of stopping movement of a movable barrier, and a method installing a hydraulic brake assembly are described herein. A selectively operable piston mechanism converts rotation of a drive shaft of a movable barrier into hydraulic pressure used to operate a brake configured to stop movement of the drive shaft.

Abstract: A fluid-based spring counterbalance mechanism comprising an elastic flexible fluid-based spring disposed between two surfaces is used to support some or all of the weight of a movable barrier. A linkage mechanism comprising at least one rotating rotatable shaft is configured to receive rotational motion from a jackshaft associated with the movable barrier. A translational mechanism coupled to the at least one rotating shaft and coupled to at least one of the two surfaces is configured to compress the flexible fluid-based spring between the two surfaces in response to rotation of the rotatable shaft. By compressing the fluid-based spring, the counterbalance mechanism provides a force that partially or fully supports the weight of the movable barrier.

Abstract: A hydraulic brake apparatus, a movable barrier apparatus, a hydraulic brake kit, a method of stopping movement of a movable barrier, and a method installing a hydraulic brake assembly are described herein. A selectively operable piston mechanism converts rotation of a drive shaft of a movable barrier into hydraulic pressure used to operate a brake configured to stop movement of the drive shaft.

Abstract: A fluid-based spring counterbalance mechanism comprising an elastic flexible fluid-based spring disposed between two surfaces is used to support some or all of the weight of a movable barrier. A linkage mechanism comprising at least one rotating rotatable shaft is configured to receive rotational motion from a jackshaft associated with the movable barrier. A translational mechanism coupled to the at least one rotating shaft and coupled to at least one of the two surfaces is configured to compress the flexible fluid-based spring between the two surfaces in response to rotation of the rotatable shaft. By compressing the fluid-based spring, the counterbalance mechanism provides a force that partially or fully supports the weight of the movable barrier.

Abstract: A movable barrier system wherein the trolley system comprises at least two guiding rail portions. At least one of the guiding rail portions is supported by a support member secured to the headroom area of the building support structure. The trolley traverses the at least two guiding rail portions by a hinged coupling device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus converts the speed and torque of a motor output and couples the adjusted output to a device or structure, such as a movable barrier. In one example, a conversion apparatus includes a first gear set, a second gear set, a third gear set, and a fourth gear or ring gear. The first gear set may engage a motor output and receive rotational input therefrom. The rotational input is transferred from the first to the second gear set and then to the third gear set, which may engage a ring gear. In one configuration, a carrier is disposed about the gear sets. Carrier fasteners may extend through openings in the third gear set and, as the third gear set travels around the ring gear, the carrier fasteners may revolve around a central axis and rotate a carrier output shaft.

Abstract: A fluid-based spring counterbalance mechanism comprising an elastic flexible fluid-based spring disposed between two surfaces is used to support some or all of the weight of a movable barrier. A linkage mechanism comprising at least one rotating rotatable shaft is configured to receive rotational motion from a jackshaft associated with the movable barrier. A translational mechanism coupled to the at least one rotating shaft and coupled to at least one of the two surfaces is configured to compress the flexible fluid-based spring between the two surfaces in response to rotation of the rotatable shaft. By compressing the fluid-based spring, the counterbalance mechanism provides a force that partially or fully supports the weight of the movable barrier.

Abstract: A hydraulic brake apparatus, a movable barrier apparatus, a hydraulic brake kit, a method of stopping movement of a movable barrier, and a method installing a hydraulic brake assembly are described herein. A selectively operable piston mechanism converts rotation of a drive shaft of a movable barrier into hydraulic pressure used to operate a brake configured to stop movement of the drive shaft.

Abstract: A motor is configured to operate in one of at least two modes in response to determining that a power provided by a power supply for the motor crosses certain thresholds. For example, first and second windings apply a rotating force to a rotating armature of a single motor. The first and second windings are electrically coupled to first and second commutators, respectively, which transmit power to the first and second windings from a first and second power source, respectively. In other aspects, different power sources power the motor, and the motor operates at different speeds depending on the power source applied. For example, the change in power sources is effected in response to detecting a change in applied power past a threshold, thus effecting the motor's operation in a second, different speed. So configured, a single motor can reduce deployment of bulky and expensive add-on equipment.