Treadle Or Impact Initiated Operator Patents (Class 49/263)
  • Patent number: 8707622
    Abstract: A door opening system for assisting an individual to open a door without having to touch a handle. The door opening system generally includes a connecting member rotatably attached to a wall adjacent a door, a foot pedal attached to a lower end of the connecting member, and a lever attached to an upper end of the connecting member. An engaging member is attached to an upper end of the door to be opened and is engaged by the lever when a user pushes upon the foot pedal causing rotation of the connecting member and the lever. The lever forces the door open so the user does not have to engage handle of the door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Inventor: Dennis R. Neustel, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8657526
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a gravity-lowered net that is housed above the surface onto which it is to be used, and is lowered by sliding weights that position the net to the correct height for use. Certain embodiments of the nets may be provided with one or more energy absorber elements associated with the net, which help enhance the energy absorptive capabilities of the net.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Engineered Arresting Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Robert Withers, Richard L. Orner, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8510992
    Abstract: An automatic gate opening device is claimed comprising: a gate drive axis (134), movable between a gate closed position and a gate open position; a treadle (102) and a rechargeable energy storage means (16, 118). The device also comprises an energy conversion means to convert stored energy into rotational movement of the drive axis (134) in a gate opening and energy conversion means to convert stored energy into rotational movement of the drive axis in a gate closing direction. The treadle (102) is configured such that, with the drive axis (134) in its gate open position, a single actuation of said treadle (102) recharges the energy storage means with sufficient energy to move the drive axis from its gate open position to its gate closed position and back to its gate open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Silverline Tools Limited
    Inventor: James Goddard-Watts
  • Publication number: 20120055093
    Abstract: An automatic gate opening device is claimed comprising: a gate drive axis (134), movable between a gate closed position and a gate open position; a treadle (102) and a rechargeable energy storage means (16, 118). The device also comprises an energy conversion means to convert stored energy into rotational movement of the drive axis (134) in a gate opening and energy conversion means to convert stored energy into rotational movement of the drive axis in a gate closing direction. The treadle (102) is configured such that, with the drive axis (134) in its gate open position, a single actuation of said treadle (102) recharges the energy storage means with sufficient energy to move the drive axis from its gate open position to its gate closed position and back to its gate open position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2010
    Publication date: March 8, 2012
    Inventor: James Goddard-Watts
  • Patent number: 7739835
    Abstract: An opening mechanism having a cover assembly, a base mounting plate, and a lever member. The lever member has a first arm and a second arm, which pivot from a first position to a second position. The movement of the arms from the first position to the second position causes one of the arms to move a closure from a closed position to an open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Inventor: Steven Levine
  • Patent number: 6878889
    Abstract: A device is provided to prevent unauthorized opening of the garage door by interrupting the flow of electrical power to the automatic garage door opener. A power-interrupting switch, suspended from a desired overhead location in the garage, is interposed between the power source and garage door opener to selectively interrupt or complete the flow of electricity to the garage door opener. By interrupting the electrical flow, the garage door opener is deactivated and will remain unresponsive to a possible unauthorized remote control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2005
    Inventors: Richard R. Horst, Sandra L. Horst
  • Publication number: 20040237408
    Abstract: A gate opening system which comprises a barrier mounting (6) adapted to mount a barrier in an open or closed condition, a retention means (16, 17, 18, 19) adapted to secure a barrier in an open or closed condition, a drive element (4), and an energy transmission system (9, 10), whereby energy is transferred from the weight of a vehicle and is in turn transmitted through the transmission system (9, 10) to rotate the drive element (4), causing the barrier mounting (6) to be lifted, the disengagement of the retention means (16, 17, 18, 19), and the barrier thereby opened or closed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2004
    Publication date: December 2, 2004
    Inventor: Bernhard Stubbe
  • Patent number: 6408571
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides an automatic closing gate having a gate post and at least one self-closing hinge attaching the gate to the gate post. A catch post having a catch holds the gate in an open position for a period of time. The catch releases the gate after the period of time and the gate is free to swing shut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2002
    Inventor: Donald E. Trott
  • Patent number: 6108977
    Abstract: A device for engaging and disengaging the driving mechanism of an automatic slide gate. The device uses a series of two levers to develop a substantial mechanical advantage in the operation of a dog clutch. An actuating lever is positioned so that it may be operated by the user's foot, eliminating the need for any auxilliary levers or tools.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2000
    Inventors: Wayne Payne, Phil Wilkins
  • Patent number: 5720132
    Abstract: A fence gate opener with fluid gravity closure assembly having 1) a main closure gate assembly with a main gate assembly; 2) a main support base assembly operable to be connected to a ground support surface and having the main gate assembly pivotally connected thereto; 3) a fluid gravity closure assembly operably connected to the main support base assembly and the main gate assembly for pivotal movement therewith; and 4) a gate actuator treadle assembly operably connected to the main support base assembly and the main gate assembly to cause pivotal movement thereof from the opened to the closed conditions. The main closure gate assembly includes a counterbalance weight assembly being rotatable with the main gate assembly on a pivot shaft member from opened to closed conditions of the main gate assembly. The main support base assembly includes a support frame assembly having a pivotal gate support assembly connected thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 24, 1998
    Inventors: David L. Renner, Murry E. Renner
  • Patent number: 5634218
    Abstract: A lifting frame for a hinged spa cover having a pair of adjustable lifting arms pivotally mounted on or adjacent to a side wall of a spa. The upper part of the arms are equipped with one or more supports that are adjacent to and parallel with the cover hinge whereby the cover is foldable over the support or supports when the lifting arms are in a first horizontal position. Rotating the frame causes the folded cover to be rotated to a second, vertical position adjacent one end wall of the spa. The lifting frame includes a plurality of L-shaped arm segments which are connected in telescoping relationship with one another to form a plurality of overlapped junctions. A plurality of fasteners located in the regions of the junctions, allow the dimensions of the frame to be adjusted to accommodate spas of different sizes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 3, 1997
    Inventor: Roger J. Ouelette
  • Patent number: 5622416
    Abstract: A foot pedal door opener device for side-by-side doors of a cabinet includes a right side foot pedal for opening a left side door of the side-by-side doors, and a left side foot pedal for opening a right side door of the side-by-side doors. The right and left side foot pedals are pivotably attached to pivot points on the cabinet. Actuator members are fixedly attached to the right and left side foot pedals. The actuator members are disposed to engage the opposite doors when a foot pedal is actuated, thereby opening the opposite door. The actuator members extend from one foot pedal toward the other foot pedal, such that a portion of the actuator members are in an overlapping, non-interfering relationship.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 22, 1997
    Assignee: Hoshizaki America Inc.
    Inventors: Jerry Rainey, Emory Taylor
  • Patent number: 5540012
    Abstract: A method of increasing the range of controlled movement of a door opened by a treadle operated door opening assembly is described, along with a treadle operated door opening assembly constructed in accordance with the teachings of the method. The method includes the step of mounting a contact member which projects from the first face of the door adjacent to the hinge edge and the bottom edge. With this modification when a person treads upon a radially extending pedal a shaft rotates causing a point of contact between the arm and the door to move sequentially from a first position substantially parallel to the first face of the door to a second position engaging the contact member substantially perpendicular to the first face of the door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 30, 1996
    Inventor: Michael Clegg
  • Patent number: 5444877
    Abstract: A foot operated double acting lever for rotating a lid hinged to a base from a first position to a second position such as lifting the seat of a toilet bowl without touching the seat with the hands wherein the lid (or seat) is locked in the second position when the pedal is not depressed thereby maintaining the seat in its second position and is unlocked by depressing the pedal a second time and allowing the lid to rotate back to its first position at a speed that is under control of the foot on the pedal. The device includes a rotating housing coupled to one end of the lever (opposite the end with the pedal) that is coupled to a drive gear that turns a hinge gear mounted to rotate on the same axis as the lid. In order that the lid be locked in the second position, a lock catch engages the drive gear and a fixed slot thereby locking the drive gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 29, 1995
    Inventor: Jey Kumarasurier
  • Patent number: 5226257
    Abstract: A control panel includes a first switch to effect selective actuation of a garage door opener motor, with a second on/off switch arranged to effect selective locking engagement and disengagement of the motor relative to the first switch. An indicator light is arranged to indicate separation of a garage door from a garage door framework. An abutment switch is arranged also for engagement with a vehicular windshield for actuation of the garage door motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1993
    Inventor: Richard D. Moss
  • Patent number: 4908987
    Abstract: A pet portal for use on a door, with an opening cut in it, permitting a pet, such as a cat or a dog, to enter a house without having to have anyone open the door for them. The pet portal includes a horizontal panel mounted on a slidably mounted vertical panel. The horizontal panel extends both inside and outside the door with an actuating means for pulling the horizontal panel and the vertical panel up to the top of the opening in the door so that the vertical panel covers the opening in the door. Both the vertical and horizontal panels slide downwardly against the actuating means when a pet steps on the horizontal panel either inside or outside of the door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 1988
    Date of Patent: March 20, 1990
    Inventors: Richard Dickson, Lynne Dickson
  • Patent number: 4203685
    Abstract: The speed arrester is an elongated member having a generally semi-circular cross-section and a lower flat surface secured to the roadway, parking lot or other surface by an adhesive material. The item is molded from an elastomeric plastic having substantial rigidity and yet being capable of withstanding repeated flexing from automotive vehicles passing thereover and returning to its original shape. A pair of elongated open channels act to increase the resiliency of the speed arrester, such that as the vehicle wheels pass down the arrester back side when an automotive vehicle drives over it, the resiliency provides a forward thrust to the vehicle which can be sensed by the vehicle occupants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1978
    Date of Patent: May 20, 1980
    Inventor: Richard E. Sanchez
  • Patent number: 4029007
    Abstract: An automatic date-stamping system for vehicles entering a parking area for a relatively long period of time, i.e., for more than one day rather than several hours, so that the accumulated charges of the parking costs at the time of leaving, are easily and reliably determinable. The date is stamped automatically on the side-wall of a tire of the vehicle in invisible ink, so as not to mar the appearance of the vehicle, before the blocking and/or signalling means are operated to permit entry of the vehicle into the parking area. Exposure of the date-imprint to ultra-violet light or other rays to which the printing ink is responsive, renders it visible for reading at the time of leaving the parking area, or before that time, if such is necessary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 1975
    Date of Patent: June 14, 1977
    Assignee: Armand L. Levinson
    Inventors: Armand L. Levinson, Donald W. Heinerichs, George Ruck
  • Patent number: 4010571
    Abstract: A loading dock assembly adapted to be included in a building comprising an automatic control means for opening and closing the loading dock door, automatically raising and lowering the dock ramp to a proper position, as well as automatically turning on and off the dock light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1975
    Date of Patent: March 8, 1977
    Assignee: W. B. McGuire Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Winston B. McGuire, Charles W. Mellyn
  • Patent number: 4007499
    Abstract: Control apparatus used in connection with commodes automatically moves a trip lever for flushing the commode and includes a member adapted to be connected to the trip lever for moving between an initial position and a flushing position to cause the trip lever to raise a drain valve to its open position. A spring moves the member to its flushing position, and a person-operated device causes energy to be stored in the spring and releases subsequently the energy from the spring to move the member toward its flushing position. A latching device connected to the member connects releasably the member and the trip member for moving it and the valve against the force of water pressure acting on the valve until the water pressure equals the force applied by the spring after sufficient water discharge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1976
    Date of Patent: February 15, 1977
    Inventor: Teng Ke Lin