Patents by Inventor E. Carl Goodman
E. Carl Goodman has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 7931067Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are disclosed for laterally restraining a movable partition. In one embodiment, a movable partition includes two laterally spaced structures wherein each structure includes a plurality of hingedly coupled panels. A lateral restraint mechanism is located and configured to prevent lateral displacement of one or both of the two laterally spaced structures. In one embodiment, at least one bracket is substantially rigidly coupled to a hinge of the first structure and a laterally adjacent hinge of the second structure. The at least one bracket may include multiple brackets. Some described methods include a laterally restraining lower edge of a movable partition as well as the installation of lateral restraint brackets including the plumbing, spacing and squaring of the structures in conjunction with such installation.Type: GrantFiled: November 2, 2007Date of Patent: April 26, 2011Assignee: Won-Door CorporationInventors: E. Carl Goodman, Daniel L. Steadman
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Publication number: 20110093095Abstract: Various apparatuses, methods and systems for directionally controlling a movable partition are provided. In one embodiment, an apparatus may include at least one roller assembly coupled to a portion of a movable partition. A roller element of the roller assembly may be configured to maintain contact with an adjacent surface (e.g., a floor) while the partition is displaced along a desired path even though the adjacent surface may exhibit unevenness, undulations or other substantially nonplanar surface features. In one embodiment, the apparatus may be configured to maintain a substantially constant force between the roller element and the adjacent surface. In another embodiment, the apparatus may be configured to maintain a force between the roller element and the adjacent surface substantially within a specified range. A steering actuator may also be used to select, or change, the orientation of the roller assembly with respect to the partition.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 7, 2010Publication date: April 21, 2011Applicant: WON-DOOR CORPORATIONInventors: E. Carl Goodman, D. George Field, Kevin D. Banta
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Publication number: 20110088322Abstract: In one embodiment, a closure assembly for a fire door, including a first lead post having a longitudinal cavity located therein, an opening extending through a wall of the first lead post into the longitudinal cavity and a locking member may be positioned within the longitudinal cavity that is configured to obstruct the opening into the longitudinal cavity upon reaching a predetermined temperature, is disclosed. In additional embodiments, fire doors including such closure assemblies and methods of locking fire doors are disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 21, 2009Publication date: April 21, 2011Applicant: WON-DOOR CORPORATIONInventors: W. Michael Coleman, Duane O. Hall, E. Carl Goodman, Michael D. George, D. George Field
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Publication number: 20110061820Abstract: Apparatuses and methods are provided for visual inspection across a barrier such as a fire door. In one embodiment of the present invention, a first movable partition is disposed adjacent, and laterally spaced from, a second movable partition. A first vision panel is disposed in the first partition and a second vision panel is disposed in the second partition in substantial alignment with the first vision panel. The position of the first vision panel is substantially constrained with respect to the position of the second vision panel along a first longitudinal direction. The first vision panel and the second vision panel are enabled to exhibit a desired amount of lateral displacement relative to each other.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 22, 2010Publication date: March 17, 2011Applicant: WON-DOOR CORPORATIONInventors: W. Michael Coleman, Michael D. George, E. Carl Goodman
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Publication number: 20110036513Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, and methods for providing battery-backed power to movable partitions are disclosed. A power converter generates a DC output from an AC input. The DC output may be selectively decoupled from an enabled DC output such that the DC output can be monitored for acceptable operation in-situ. The enabled DC output may be selectively coupled to a battery output terminal. A charge current may be sensed between the enabled DC output and the battery output to control charging of the battery with a pulse-width modulation operation by controlling the selective coupling of the enabled DC output to the battery output. The enabled DC output and the battery output are coupled in a logical-OR configuration to generate a supply output providing current from the enabled DC output and the battery. The supply output may drive a movable partition controller and a motor configured for opening and closing a movable partition.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 24, 2010Publication date: February 17, 2011Applicant: WON-DOOR CORPORATIONInventors: Kevin D. Banta, D. George Field, E. Carl Goodman
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Publication number: 20110036509Abstract: Movable partition systems include a movable partition and an intumescent material positioned to seal a gap at a periphery of the partition. In some embodiments, masses of intumescent material may be shaped and positioned to expand toward one another, contact one another, and form a seal therebetween at a periphery of the partition when the movable partition is exposed to fire. A fire barrier may be provided by extending a partition along a track assembly, and heating an intumescent material to cause the intumescent material to expand, char, and form a seal extending along at least a portion of a periphery of the movable partition. Upon installing a movable partition, at least one mass of intumescent material may be positioned to seal at least a section of a gap at a periphery of the movable partition when the at least one mass of intumescent material is exposed to fire.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 17, 2009Publication date: February 17, 2011Applicant: WON-DOOR CORPORATIONInventors: E. Carl Goodman, Craig Bell
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Patent number: 7886804Abstract: Folding partitions and related methods and components are provided and may include accordion-style folding doors or partitions having multiple folding panels. In one embodiment, a folding partition includes one or more baffling devices. A baffling device may include an elongated enclosure having a first opening proximate a first longitudinal end of the elongated enclosure, a second opening proximate a second longitudinal end of the elongated enclosure, and a flow path extending from the first opening to the second opening. A sound attenuation chamber may be disposed adjacent at least a portion of the flow path. In one embodiment, one or more baffling devices may be disposed in, or otherwise associated with, a jamb component of the partition. In another embodiment, one or more baffling devices may be disposed in, or otherwise associated with, the hinged connection of panel sections of a partition panel.Type: GrantFiled: January 30, 2008Date of Patent: February 15, 2011Assignee: Won-Door CorporationInventors: E. Carl Goodman, Michael D. George, Michael E. Hazlett, Craig G. Bell, Ronald A. Smart, Jaren R. Dickinson
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Publication number: 20110005689Abstract: Motor control systems comprise a motor control circuit, a processing circuit operably coupled to the motor control circuit, and a current sensor operably coupled to the processing circuit. The current sensor may be configured to sense a current and to convey a signal to the processing circuitry proportional to the amount of current sensed. The processing circuitry may be configured to sample the signal to obtain a plurality of current values, to store the plurality of current values and to generate an operation profile from the plurality of current values. Folding partitions comprising motor control systems are also disclosed, as well as methods of monitoring the operation of an electric motor and of monitoring for an obstruction of a folding partition.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 10, 2009Publication date: January 13, 2011Applicant: Won-Door CorporationInventors: W. Michael Coleman, Duane O. Hall, E. Carl Goodman, Michael D. George, D. George Field
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Patent number: 7854248Abstract: Apparatuses and methods are provided for visual inspection across a barrier such as a fire door. In one embodiment of the present invention, a first movable partition is disposed adjacent, and laterally spaced from, a second movable partition. A first vision panel is disposed in the first partition and a second vision panel is disposed in the second partition in substantial alignment with the first vision panel. The position of the first vision panel is substantially constrained with respect to the position of the second vision panel along a first longitudinal direction. The first vision panel and the second vision panel are enabled to exhibit a desired amount of lateral displacement relative to each other.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2008Date of Patent: December 21, 2010Assignee: Won-Door CorporationInventors: W. Michael Coleman, Michael D. George, E. Carl Goodman
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Patent number: 7845384Abstract: A partition system is provided as well as an apparatus and method for securing movable partitions. In one embodiment, a movable partition, such as a folding door, includes a post member (e.g., a lead post) having a latching structure associated therewith. Another post member, such as associated with a wall or another movable partition, includes a latching structure configured to form a magnetic coupling with the first latching structure. One of the latching structures may be slidingly displaced relative to its associated post member so as to selectively bring the two latching members into or out of alignment with one another. When a magnetic coupling has been formed, relative displacement of the two latching structures results in the weakening, if not defeat, of the magnetic coupling so that the post members, and their associated partitions, may be displaced away from one another. Other latching structures are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: August 16, 2007Date of Patent: December 7, 2010Assignee: Won-Door CorporationInventors: E. Carl Goodman, Ronald A. Smart, Craig Bell
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Patent number: 7845385Abstract: An apparatus and method of directionally controlling a movable partition includes providing at least one roller assembly and a steering actuator, coupled therewith, to a portion of the partition. A controller may be used to control the steering actuator and thereby select, or change, the orientation of the roller assembly with respect to the partition. In one embodiment, one or more sensors may be used to determine the vertical orientation of the partition including whether the partition, or a section thereof, is substantially plumb. If the partition is substantially out of plumb, for example, if a lower edge of the partition is laterally displaced relative to an upper edge of the partition, the controller and steering actuator may cause the at least one roller assembly to direct the partition, or section thereof, in a particular direction until the partition, or section thereof, becomes substantially plumb.Type: GrantFiled: January 20, 2009Date of Patent: December 7, 2010Assignee: Won-Door CorporationInventors: E. Carl Goodman, Kevin D. Banta, D. George Field, William Michael Coleman
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Patent number: 7845386Abstract: Movable partitions and various components for use with movable partitions are disclosed along with related systems and methods. In one embodiment, a track and trolley system for use with a movable partition is described. In one embodiment, the track and trolley system may include a track having three channels wherein a first partition is suspended from the first channel, a second partition is suspended from the second channel, and a trolley is partially disposed in the third channel and between the first and second channels. Seal components may be used to substantially provide a fluid seal between the partitions and a surface from which the partitions are suspended. The trolley is configured to be longitudinally displaceable along the third channel while maintaining its components within an envelope defined by the seal components. In other words, such seal components are not penetrated or otherwise breached by the displaced trolley.Type: GrantFiled: November 2, 2007Date of Patent: December 7, 2010Assignee: Won-Door CorporationInventors: W. Michael Coleman, E. Carl Goodman
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Publication number: 20100257793Abstract: Protective clips for movable partitions include a guard portion that protrudes from a top major surface of a base portion. The guard portion extends along the top major surface proximate to a front side of the base portion. The guard portion also may extend along the top major surface proximate to at least one end side surface a longitudinal end of the base portion. Movable partitions include one or more such protective clips. The protective clips optionally may be used to attach a sweep strip to panels of a movable partition. Methods of forming such protective clips include molding the clips within a mold cavity.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 14, 2009Publication date: October 14, 2010Inventors: Michael D. George, E. Carl Goodman, Craig Bell, Michael Hazlett, William Michael Coleman
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Publication number: 20100214709Abstract: Systems and methods for providing overcurrent circuit protection are disclosed. A method of providing overcurrent circuit protection may include setting a threshold current value according to an operational state of a motor and sensing an amount of current being supplied to the motor. The method may further include electrically isolating the motor from a current source if the sensed current amount is greater than the threshold current value.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 20, 2009Publication date: August 26, 2010Applicant: WON-DOOR CORPORATIONInventors: Duane O. Hall, D. George Field, E. Carl Goodman, Kevin D. Banta
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Patent number: 7782019Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, and methods for providing battery-backed power to movable partitions are disclosed. A power converter generates a DC output from an AC input. The DC output may be selectively decoupled from an enabled DC output such that the DC output can be monitored for acceptable operation in-situ. The enabled DC output may be selectively coupled to a battery output terminal. A charge current may be sensed between the enabled DC output and the battery output to control charging of the battery with a pulse-width modulation operation by controlling the selective coupling of the enabled DC output to the battery output. The enabled DC output and the battery output are coupled in a logical-OR configuration to generate a supply output providing current from the enabled DC output and the battery. The supply output may drive a movable partition controller and a motor configured for opening and closing a movable partition.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 2009Date of Patent: August 24, 2010Assignee: Won-Door CorporationInventors: Kevin D. Banta, D. George Field, E. Carl Goodman
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Patent number: 7740046Abstract: Various apparatuses, methods and systems for directionally controlling a movable partition are provided. In one embodiment, an apparatus may include at least one roller assembly coupled to a portion of a movable partition. A roller element of the roller assembly may be configured to maintain contact with an adjacent surface (e.g., a floor) while the partition is displaced along a desired path even though the adjacent surface may exhibit unevenness, undulations or other substantially nonplanar surface features. In one embodiment, the apparatus may be configured to maintain a substantially constant force between the roller element and the adjacent surface. In another embodiment, the apparatus may be configured to maintain a force between the roller element and the adjacent surface substantially within a specified range. A steering actuator may also be used to select, or change, the orientation of the roller assembly with respect to the partition.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 2007Date of Patent: June 22, 2010Assignee: Won-Door CorporationInventors: E. Carl Goodman, D. George Field, Kevin D. Banta
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Patent number: 7737860Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for monitoring an automatic door system. In one embodiment, an automatic door system may include a door system controller coupled to one or more input devices. The door system controller may be configured to receive data representative of an operational parameter of the automatic door system. At least one monitor display may be operably coupled to the door system controller and configured to display information regarding the operational parameter of the input devices. A remote display device interface may be configured to operably couple at least one remote display device to the door system controller. The at least one monitor display may be configured to automatically change from a master configuration to a slave configuration when the at least one remote display device is operably coupled to the door system controller.Type: GrantFiled: October 12, 2007Date of Patent: June 15, 2010Assignee: WON-DOOR CorporationInventors: Kevin D. Banta, D. George Field, E. Carl Goodman
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Publication number: 20100102764Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods for controlling a motor are disclosed. A method may include determining a rotational direction of a motor from a pair of quadrature signals sent to a microprocessor. The method further includes adjusting an internal count stored in the microprocessor at each edge of each of the pair of quadrature signals. The method further includes adjusting an external count stored in the microprocessor and transmitting an interrupt to a main controller after the first phase signal and the second phase signal have transitioned through each combinational logic state in one of a forward rotational direction and a reverse rotational direction. The method further includes transmitting a signal comprising the rotational direction of the motor and the external count from the microprocessor to a main controller.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 23, 2008Publication date: April 29, 2010Applicant: WON-DOOR CORPORATIONInventors: Kevin D. Banta, D. George Field, E. Carl Goodman, Duane O. Hall
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Publication number: 20100078134Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, and methods for providing battery-backed power to movable partitions are disclosed. A power converter generates a DC output from an AC input. The DC output may be selectively decoupled from an enabled DC output such that the DC output can be monitored for acceptable operation in-situ. The enabled DC output may be selectively coupled to a battery output terminal. A charge current may be sensed between the enabled DC output and the battery output to control charging of the battery with a pulse-width modulation operation by controlling the selective coupling of the enabled DC output to the battery output. The enabled DC output and the battery output are coupled in a logical-or configuration to generate a supply output providing current from the enabled DC output and the battery. The supply output may drive a movable partition controller and a motor configured for opening and closing a movable partition.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 4, 2009Publication date: April 1, 2010Applicant: WON-DOOR CORPORATIONInventors: Kevin D. Banta, D. George Field, E. Carl Goodman
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Patent number: 7656129Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, and methods for providing battery-backed power to movable partitions are disclosed. A power converter generates a DC output from an AC input. The DC output may be selectively decoupled from an enabled DC output such that the DC output can be monitored for acceptable operation in-situ. The enabled DC output may be selectively coupled to a battery output terminal. A charge current may be sensed between the enabled DC output and the battery output to control charging of the battery with a pulse-width modulation operation by controlling the selective coupling of the enabled DC output to the battery output. The enabled DC output and the battery output are coupled in a logical-OR configuration to generate a supply output providing current from the enabled DC output and the battery. The supply output may drive a movable partition controller and a motor configured for opening and closing a movable partition.Type: GrantFiled: January 30, 2007Date of Patent: February 2, 2010Assignee: Won-Door CorporationInventors: Kevin D. Banta, D George Field, E. Carl Goodman