With Retarding Means Patents (Class 160/8)
  • Patent number: 9133663
    Abstract: A vertically coiling door assembly that is used for emergency egress. Upon notice of a predefined alarm state, after a delay the door deploys by gravity, stopping upon contact with an obstruction. The door may be lifted at any time without power and after a set amount of lift powered movement is triggered moving the door to a preset height, pausing the door at that height, and then resuming gravity deployment. In the total absence of power the door may still be lifted, with resumption of gravity deployment upon removal of the lifting force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignee: CIW Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Ian Klish, Joseph D. Kondash, Joseph L. Balay, Thomas Balay
  • Patent number: 8783327
    Abstract: The inventive flexible curtain rapid door comprises a structure consisting of two posts and a transverse element for guiding a flexible curtain and electromechanical means supported by said structure for displacing the curtain between open and closed positions, wherein the flexible curtain (2) comprises a weight and sealing element (13). According to the invention, the door comprises obstacle detecting means which are carried at least partially by an reinforcing element, are adjacent to the weight and sealing element (13) and are disposed upstream thereof on the curtain closing path between the reinforcing element and the weight and sealing element (13) and said obstacle detecting means are integrated inside the lower part of the curtain (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Nergeco
    Inventor: Bernard Kraeutler
  • Patent number: 8484897
    Abstract: A door operator of the fireproof door comprises a force applying end for releasing the reel of a door curtain, and a loading end for sustaining the weight of the door curtain. The rotary shaft comprises an internal (central) shaft and a plurality of external shaft coupled to each other via a clutch mechanism. The force applying end and the loading end act on the internal shaft and the external shaft respectively. A torsion spring brake mechanism is provided to resist the potential energy of the loading end by varying the inner diameter of the torsion spring so as to constantly restrain the rotary shaft from rotating, or to release the rotary shaft when the brake mechanism is subjected to an external force from the force applying end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Inventor: Chung-Hsien Hsieh
  • Patent number: 8100163
    Abstract: An apparatus for controlling the movement of a barrier is provided. The apparatus includes a governor with a preload member. The preload member provides a preload force that releasably and magnetically couples the preload member to the governor. The preload member is configured and arranged to provide a sufficient holding force to the governor in order to hold the barrier in place. The governor is configured and arranged to, upon the preload force being selectively decoupled from the preload member, allow for the downward movement of the barrier while also forming and applying an intentional braking force to the barrier to slow the downward movement of the barrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: Chamberlain Australia Pty Ltd.
    Inventor: Scott James Nicholson
  • Patent number: 8069896
    Abstract: The present invention is a method and apparatus for driving a roller-shutter door having a drive mechanism. The method comprises the activation of a circuit in response to an external stimuli to a switch. This actuates a timer and raises a timing bar. A cable passes across the timing bar and is connected to the switch on one end and to a solenoid on a second end. The cable passes through a top portion of a rocker arm assembly having a one-way bearing. The solenoid is actuated as a result of the raising of the timing bar; and activates the one-way bearing to cause the door to be raised to a pre-set position for a pre-set period of time. To reverse the door, the timer bar is dropped after the lapse of the pre-set period of time. The solenoid is re-activated and reverses the one-way bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Alpine Overhead Doors, Inc.
    Inventor: Sebastian Magro
  • Patent number: 8069897
    Abstract: The invention concerns a fast door comprising: a structure having in particular two posts (3) in each of which is provided a slide rail (16) and a transverse lintel-forming element (4), and a flexible curtain (12) connected to the structure at the lintel-forming element (4) via electromechanical means controlling the lowering and lifting of the curtain (12), the curtain (12) incorporating at least one flexible reinforcing bar (13, 29) inserted in receiving means provided in the curtain (12), the flexible reinforcing bar (13, 29) capable of being engaged at its ends in each of the slide rails (16) and capable of bending to be released at least from one rail (16) without being subjected to permanent deformation which would impair the operation of the door once reinstalled in its rails.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Nergeco
    Inventor: Bernard Kraeutler
  • Patent number: 7918264
    Abstract: A speed reducer assembly for rolling screen systems includes a speed reducer chamber. A resistance element is mounted for movement within the speed reducer chamber. A non-viscous resistance material is provided in contact with the resistance element within the speed reducer chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2011
    Inventor: Reynolds H. Dickinson, III
  • Patent number: 7762304
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for detecting an obstacle and limiting the force from the primary edge or sill nosing (10) of a flexible apron or curtain (5) in a goods-handling door (1) when the latter comes into contact with an obstacle (14) as it is being closed. The inventive device comprises safety cells (21, 22) which are positioned and fixed close to each guiding device (8) such as to emit a beam F that is directed along a vertical axis outside of the guide (15) so that the beam is interrupted upon deformation of the flexible curtain or apron (5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Assignee: Maviflex
    Inventors: Antonello La Marca, Bernard Simon, Anne-Sophie Panseri, legal representative, Romain Simon, legal representative
  • Patent number: 7686150
    Abstract: This invention disclosed a speed limit device for door, which comprises: an input shaft with one end driven by a door motor, and having the first gear and the second gear configured at the other end simultaneously driving a hollow shaft and a third shaft, and the center of the hollow shaft accommodates and fixes one end of a reel, and the third shaft is connected with an extension shaft; a brake device, which includes an active gear fixed with the extension shaft; a passive gear is pivoted on a hub, and the hub is fixed with the reel and rotating with the hollow shaft; an inert wheel located between the active gear and the passive gear to adjust the passive gear to have the same rotation speed with the hollow shaft; a clutch mechanism, which could restrain the synchronous operation between the passive gear and the hub without any positional difference, and when the rotation speed of the reel has the abnormal change, the clutch mechanism generates the positional difference condition necessary to lock the hub t
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Inventor: Chung-Hsien Hsieh
  • Publication number: 20100032105
    Abstract: A high-speed door assembly has a shaft or drum having a longitudinal axis which is configured so that the longitudinal axis is parallel with a wall to which the door assembly is mounted. A flexible door panel is attached to the shaft or drum so as to be capable of being wound and unwound about the drum for selectively permitting and prohibiting access through an opening in the wall to which the door assembly is mounted, the door panel being wound on the shaft or drum in an orientation such that the door panel defines at least one vertical plane when unwound from the shaft or drum, the vertical plane being spaced further from the wall to which the door assembly is mounted than the longitudinal axis of the shaft or drum.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2007
    Publication date: February 11, 2010
    Applicant: Rytec Corporation
    Inventor: Brian Norbert Drifka
  • Patent number: 7246648
    Abstract: A friction device for rolling up curtains and the like includes a tubular roller (1), on which a curtain (1a) is wound. The roller (1) is rotatably carried by a support (10) and a threaded stem (2) is situated axially inside the roller (1) and carries, mounted thereon by a screw coupling, an operative body (3), likewise situated inside the roller (1). The operative body (3) translates axially with respect to the threaded stem (2) during motion of the curtain (1a) from a rolled up configuration (A) to a unrolled configuration (B). Elastic blocks (41, 51) push on the operating body (3) to produce a friction effect on the operating body and transmitted to roller (1) during curtain (1a) transition between the unrolled and rolled up configurations, thus allowing operation of the curtain in a substantially balanced way during rolling up and/or unrolling. Stop nuts (40, 50) are fastened to the threaded stem (2) for compressing the elastic blocks against surfaces of the operating body (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Assignee: Silent Gliss Italia S.r.l.
    Inventor: Carl Emil Felix Minder
  • Patent number: 7144051
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for locking a security gate operating shaft contained in a security gate operating mechanism having a housing from which extends the operating shaft, which may comprise: a locking collar, having at least one engageable protrusion extending radially, mounted on the operating shaft for rotary motion with it; an operating shaft locking mechanism slide mounting assembly attachable to the housing in one of at least two positions; a locking plate slideably mounted in the slide mounting and having an opening in registration with the operating shaft with at least one locking finger extending into the opening and adapted to engage at least one engageable protrusion; an electrically operated sliding unit adapted, when energized to move the slideable plate to one position against gravity, when deenergized to allow the slideable plate to move with gravity to a second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2006
    Assignee: The Chamberlain Group, Inc.
    Inventors: James R. Gillingham, Walter Parsadayan
  • Patent number: 7086441
    Abstract: A hydraulic governor device for use with a rotational shaft of a door assembly for controlling a rotation of said rotational shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2006
    Assignee: Canimex Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick Barriault, François Beaudoin, Danny Roy
  • Patent number: 6550597
    Abstract: In an emergency brake mechanism of the present invention, a rotation input shaft is increased in rotation speed by a planetary set-up gear to centrifuge weights. Through the action of the centrifugal force of the weights, linings of the brake shoes are brought into press-contact with a fixed portion to reduce rotation of the rotation input shaft, such that a large braking power is produced for a compact emergency brake mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2003
    Assignee: Wakayama Nainenki Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Naoya Taniguchi
  • Publication number: 20020046815
    Abstract: In an emergency brake mechanism of the present invention, a rotation input shaft is increased in rotation speed by a planetary set-up gear to centrifuge weights, so that through the action of the centrifugal force of the weights, linings of the brake shoes are brought into press-contact with a fixed portion, to reduce rotation of the rotation input shaft, such that a large braking power is produced for a compact emergency brake mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2001
    Publication date: April 25, 2002
    Inventor: Naoya Taniguchi
  • Patent number: 6223802
    Abstract: A control system for a vertically moveable covering for an architectural opening includes a uni-directional drive assembly that is operated with a single pull element such that upon pulling of the pull element, the covering can be raised in increments. A clutch/brake assembly selectively prevents the covering from dropping by gravity between pulling strokes on the pulling element, but a release of the brake allows the shade to drop by gravity from its retracted position to any degree of extension. A governor is further provided to regulate the rate at which the covering drops by gravity. A cord lift system which is operated by the main drive assembly and the clutch/brake assembly includes a rotatable and axially slidable spool about which a lift cord can be wound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2001
    Assignee: Hunter Douglas, Inc.
    Inventor: Wendell B. Colson
  • Patent number: 6129131
    Abstract: A control system for a vertically moveable covering for an architectural opening includes a uni-directional drive assembly that is operated with a single pull element such that upon pulling of the pull element, the covering can be raised in increments. A clutch/brake assembly selectively prevents the covering from dropping by gravity between pulling strokes on the pulling element, but a release of the brake allows the shade to drop by gravity from its retracted position to any degree of extension. A governor is further provided to regulate the rate at which the covering drops by gravity. A cord lift system which is operated by the main drive assembly and the clutch/brake assembly includes a rotatable and axially slidable spool about which a lift cord can be wound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2000
    Assignee: Hunter Douglas Inc.
    Inventor: Wendell B. Colson
  • Patent number: 6123134
    Abstract: A mechanism for regulating the closing speed of a rolling fire door during an emergency condition. The speed regulating mechanism includes a viscous speed governor which is operatively connected to the support shaft of the fire door for providing a speed regulating damping torque as the door moves to a closed position. Methods for regulating the closing speed of a fire door during an emergency condition are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2000
    Assignee: Clopay Building Products Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Gordon D. Thomas, Michael L. Burns
  • Patent number: 6082433
    Abstract: A flexible curtain rollup door is driven between open and closed positions by an adjustable frequency AC electric drive motor including a controller which is operable to accelerate and decelerate the motor by supplying AC electrical power at variable frequencies over a predetermined time period and for operating the motor at selected speeds during a continuous run phase of operation. A programmable logic controller (PLC) is operably connected to the controller for the drive motor and is operable to receive signals from upper and lower door position sensors, door bottom edge bar breakout sensors, a door bottom edge bar contact sensor, area sensors on one or both sides of the door for detecting the presence of an object within certain areas adjacent the door opening and manually operable switches to control opening and closing movements of the door. A position sensor is connected to the motor and generates signals correlated with motor and curtain roll drum revolutions to provide backup door position signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2000
    Assignee: Overhead Door Corporation
    Inventors: Foad Vafaie, John J. Davis, James A. Smith
  • Patent number: 6059008
    Abstract: A device for preventing a shutter curtain from falling by its own weight and allowing the shutter curtain to descend in a braked manner, is provided such that separate space for the device does not need to be provided.A viscous clutch 9, which provides braking to the rotation of a winding shaft rotating in the direction of closing during the shutter curtain 2 descending by its own weight, is provided between the winding shaft 7 and a bracket 5 of the building. Further, the viscous clutch is arranged to be smaller in diameter than the innermost inner diameter of the shutter curtain wound onto the winding wheel 4, thus fitting within the wound shutter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2000
    Assignee: Overhead Door Corporation
    Inventors: Mitsuo Yoshida, Takanobu Kuribayashi
  • Patent number: 5832665
    Abstract: A sensing edge is provided for causing a door to open by actuating a device upon force being applied to the sensing edge. The sensing edge includes an elongate outer sheath with a first strip of resiliently compressible material affixed to one of the inner surfaces. A first strip of flexible, electrically conductive material is affixed to the strip of resiliently compressible material. A second strip of flexible, electrically conductive material is supported on the opposite inner surface of the outer sheath. The second strip of conductive material faces the first strip of conductive material, with a space being provided between the first and second strips.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1998
    Assignee: Miller Edge, Inc.
    Inventors: Bearge D. Miller, Karen Sarkissian, Gevork Sarkisian
  • Patent number: 5803150
    Abstract: The operating device comprises a drive shaft (1) driven by a geared motor unit (4) via a transmission mechanism allowing the closure element being lowered to be disengaged when a resistive force opposes the lowering thereof. The device has no brake. By contrast, it comprises a spring (8) for compensating for the weight of the closure element and the transmission mechanism (6) consists of a friction coupling and, possibly, of a one-way coupling mechanism.The absence of a brake and the weight compensation make it possible for the closure element to be raised easily and quickly by hand in an emergency, while the friction coupling allows the closure element to be driven downward by the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1998
    Assignee: Somfy
    Inventor: Jean-Philippe Boiteau
  • Patent number: 5743320
    Abstract: A brake actuator for use in conjunction with a door barrier for preventing closure of the door barrier when the actuator comes in contact with an obstruction. The brake actuator includes a bumper mounted on a leading edge of the barrier and movable between an operative position and an inoperative position. A load carrying linkage is provided which is activated when the bumper is moved to the operative position. The linkage is connected to a brake which becomes engaged when the linkage is activated, thus preventing movement of the door barrier to a closed position when the bumper contacts the obstruction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1998
    Assignee: Mckeon Rolling Steel Door Company, Inc.
    Inventor: James M. McKeon
  • Patent number: 5706875
    Abstract: A mechanism for detecting an obstacle preventing the proper operation of a sectional shutter of a warehouse-type door which includes a detection member mounted in the vicinity of a horizontal shaft around which the sectional shutter is wound by the operation of a motor. The detection mechanism is connected to a switch for controlling the motor and thus the rotation of the horizontal shaft about which the sectional shutter is wound. The detection member consists of at least one member which extends adjacent to but spaced from the horizontal shaft and which is engageable by a slack portion of the sectional shutter caused by the engagement of an obstacle with the sectional shutter as it is being lowered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 13, 1998
    Assignee: Mavil
    Inventor: Bernard Simon
  • Patent number: 5642767
    Abstract: A fire door system is disclosed wherein the fire door is up closing in that it includes an up closing partition. Further, the fire door is fail-safe in that in the absence of continuous controls indicating that the fire door should remain open, counterweights to the partition urge the partition upwardly for closing the fire door. Additionally, the fire door includes pneumatic chambers that interact with the movement of the counterweights so that as the partition is closing, a build-up of pressure in the chambers slows the rate of closing so that the fire door closes without slamming even though the total time taken to close the fire is rapid. The fire door is particularly useful for preventing the spread of fire and fire byproducts from one side of a fire inhibiting wall to the other side through openings such as those provided for carrier transport systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 1, 1997
    Assignee: TransLogic Corporation
    Inventor: Gopi Nair
  • Patent number: 5634507
    Abstract: The invention relates to a driving device for a roller shutter 1. For driving the roller shutter 1 into the open position there is provided a motor 8 with a drive 7 and a chain drive 5 which acts on the bearing shaft 3 of the roller 2 winding up the roller shutter 1. When using such shutters 1 as fire-resistant shutters 1, they must be transferable into the closed position under the influence of their dead weight, i.e. without involving any external energy. To allow the closing movement to proceed in a controlled way, the viscous coupling 10 constitutes a braking element whose housing is held non-rotatably and whose coupling hub is rotatably connected to the bearing shaft 3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 3, 1997
    Assignee: GKN Viscodrive GmbH
    Inventor: Georg Kwoka
  • Patent number: 5355927
    Abstract: The present invention is provided with a mechanism for controlling the opening and closing of a door comprising a speed reduction means for reducing a rotational speed. A high speed shaft is connected to the speed reduction means and is connectable to a means for rotating the input shaft, and a low speed output shaft is connected to the speed reduction means. A governor is mounted on the input shaft for limiting the rotational speed thereof, to also regulate the rotational speed of the output shaft. A brake is provided for preventing rotation of the output shaft, and a self-closing mechanism is operatively connected to the door. The self-closing mechanism is adapted for storing energy when the door is opened to an open position, and a connecting means operatively connects the output shaft to the self-closing mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 18, 1994
    Assignee: McKeon Rolling Steel Door Company, Inc.
    Inventor: James McKeon
  • Patent number: 5022452
    Abstract: A rolling fire door consists of a plurality of interconnected fireproof slats forming a curtain which is received by a pair of tracks along the sides of an opening to be secured. A torsion spring assembly assists in the raising and lowering of the curtain during normal operation. A torsion spring tube, rotated by raising and lowering of the curtain, is connected to a hydraulic pump. Upon the sensing of smoke, fire or the like, the torsion spring mechanism is disengaged and the curtain begins to fall by its own weight within the pair of tracks. The falling of the curtain rotates the torsion spring tube and accordingly drives the hydraulic motor which includes a restriction providing a load to the rotation of the torsion spring tube, thereby restricting the rate of descent of the curtain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 11, 1991
    Inventor: Jere S. Burrell
  • Patent number: 4794973
    Abstract: A safety braking device for a roll up or sliding door having a door curtain guided for movement by guide channels engaging its edges, the safety braking device comprising a tilt bar hingedly attached to the leading edge of the door curtain, and brake means carried on the tilt bar and arranged, upon appreciable tilting movement of the tilt bar, to frictionally engage with the door curtain guide channels for braking the movement of the door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1987
    Date of Patent: January 3, 1989
    Assignee: Automatic Roller Doors Australia Pty. Ltd.
    Inventor: Milan Perisic
  • Patent number: 4727919
    Abstract: A counterweight (12) provided at the end of a shaft (8) for winding up the door-raising belts (3) of a concertina type door. The counterweight (12) is designed to open the door to a fraction of its height. It co-operates with the motor (7) when the door is being opened and closed under normal circumstances. A motor and brake unit (14) is provided including both the motor (7) and a brake for locking the shaft (8) when the motor is not in operation. Catch means may also be provided on the bottom of the door. Manual means are provided for releasing the shaft-locking brake means in the event of a power failure. The device is essentially a safety device and in the event of a motor breakdown or a power failure it enables the concertina-type door to be rapidly opened, at least partially. Similarly, in the event of the coupling between the drive shaft and the motor being broken, the device prevents the door from falling to its closed position in a catastrophic manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 1985
    Date of Patent: March 1, 1988
    Assignee: Nergeco
    Inventor: Bernard Kraeutler
  • Patent number: 4664170
    Abstract: A rolling firedoor having a closure drum on which a closure is wound, and a chaindrive for rotating the drum to raise or lower the closure. The chaindrive is disconnected from the drum during a fire. Means are provided for reconnecting the chaindrive to the drum from the ground so that the door can be raised in an emergency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1985
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1987
    Assignee: Martinray Industries Ltd.
    Inventor: H. M. Robert Labelle
  • Patent number: 4404768
    Abstract: An improved arrangement for releasing a theatrical fire curtain is described having a mechanical coupling including a gear means which is automatically disengaged upon the occurrence of combustion to enable a fire curtain to descend and cover a proscenium opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 1981
    Date of Patent: September 20, 1983
    Inventor: Nicholas G. Cristy
  • Patent number: 4147197
    Abstract: There is provided a roll-type door having horizontally positioned slats which is normally held by operator means in an open position against gravity. Said operator means includes fusible means responding to a predetermined heat level for releasing said door and permitting same to move under gravity in a closing direction. Said operator means includes a device for initiating said door movement immediately after the response of said fusible means to said heat level and further includes a connection to braking means for insuring against too rapid a descent by the door. The door may be manually opened if desired or mechanical means, power driven if desired, may be provided for opening or assisting in opening such door. In the latter case, clutch means are provided for disconnecting same immediately upon breakdown of said fusible means whereby said door will be enabled to close freely in response to gravity subject only to control by the above-mentioned braking means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 1977
    Date of Patent: April 3, 1979
    Assignee: Overhead Door Corporation
    Inventors: Morris W. Bailey, John J. Luby, Donald G. Carlton