Abstract: This disclosure describes methods for making insulated door panels using separate façade members, in order to separate the manufacturing process of the exterior cosmetic design surface from the structural components of the door panels. This allows a same manufacturing line for the door panels to accept façade members of different designs and to produce door panels of these different designs. The facade members are made in separate production lines using various techniques, including casting, molding, vacuum forming, extrusion, and the like. The façade members are then fed into door panel production lines that fill polyurethane foams to form complete panels. The façade members become the exterior skins of the panels with minimum overlay with any backing structure to reduce material wastes, as well as lowering tooling costs for different designs due to the common backing structure that may be shared.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a barrier operator system in which a remotely located transceiver type controller is in wireless communication with a transceiver type adapter connected to a barrier operator, and in electronic communication with the barrier operator's microcontroller. The controller is operable to wirelessly transmit door operator status inquiries to the adapter. This may be effected automatically in connection with the transmission and receipt by the adapter of door toggle commands or separate and apart from same. The status information is wirelessly transmitted by the adapter in broadcast form without source or destination address to the remote device in a signal that is non-addressed broadcast door operator (and, indirectly, door) status information by relying upon the receipt of the message by the remote within the specific time limit of the reception window of the remote.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method including manufacturing a barrier opening system comprising a barrier operator, and at least one wireless transmitter for wirelessly transmitting commands to the barrier operator. Prior to delivery of the barrier opening system to an end user, an authorization code is programmed into the at least one wireless transmitter. Also prior to delivery of the barrier opening system to the end user, the barrier operator is placed into a learn mode. The authorization code is then transmitted to the barrier operator while the barrier operator is in the learn mode, using a transmitter external to the barrier opening system. The barrier operator then exits the learn mode. The barrier operator is thereafter packaged together the at least one wireless transmitter.

Abstract: A high speed roll door is movable between an open and a closed position at an opening of a building. The door includes a flexible curtain and a pair of side columns. Each side column provides an inner track to guide the curtain in vertical movement and restrain the curtain from lateral movement during deployment and retraction. The curtain further includes multiple cross bars supporting the flexible curtain from one of the pair of side columns to the other. Each of the cross bars further includes a first longitudinal bar sandwiching part of the curtain; and a second longitudinal bar pivotally connected to the first longitudinal bar. The hinge has an axis of rotation parallel to the first and the second longitudinal bars. At least a wheel is rotatably affixed to each end of the second longitudinal bar to engage the inner track of each of the side columns.

Abstract: A sealed electrical contact system includes at least one male electrical contact with at least one annular flange and a male conductive contact. At least one female electrical contact includes a receptacle and a female conductive contact disposed in the receptacle. The at least one annular flange is configured to contact an inner surface of the receptacle when the male conductive contact contacts the female conductive contact and closes a circuit.

Abstract: A panel of a sectional door includes a panel frame and a sheet of material that is coupled to the panel frame. The panel frame includes a top frame member, a bottom frame member, a first side frame member and a second side frame member. The frame members include a rear surface and a front surface, and the front surface includes a ledge. The sheet of material is coupled to the front surface such that a bottom edge of the sheet rests on the ledge and a front surface of the sheet is unobstructed by the panel frame.

Abstract: Disclosed are alternate embodiments of various components of a barrier operator system. and methods of operation, including of the mechanical drive subsystem with segmented and self-locking rail unit, rail mounting supports, belt and chain drive tensioning, and drive assembly carriage and interface; the electronics and software routines for controlled operation of the various barrier operator functions; wall console communications with the barrier operator; encryption and decryption of access codes; establishment and monitoring of travel limits and barrier speed and force profiles; thermal protection of barrier operator drive motors; and establishment and control of communications from the barrier operator to accessories by way of a wireless adapter.

Abstract: An overhead door includes a plurality of articulating panels. At least one of the plurality of articulating panels includes a frame defining an opening, the frame having a ledge and a lip extending from the ledge into the opening and a transparent panel having a first side and an opposing second side. The transparent panel is positioned adjacent to both the lip and the ledge with the first side of the transparent panel positionable adjacent the lip. The plurality of articulating panels further includes a retainer member positionable adjacent the second side of the transparent panel and operable to be fastened to the frame.

Abstract: A seal assembly for an upward acting door that is positionable between an open and closed position. The seal assembly contains a base member having a first and second flexible sealing member extending therefrom for sealing engagement with the door. The base member is mounted adjacent the door to facilitate sliding engagement between the door and the first and second seal members as the door is moved between the open and closed positions.

Abstract: This disclosure presents methods and/or processes for forming a garage door façade using variable pressure. The forming processes, different from common stamping processes, creates a shaded design in a garage door section such that a continuous pattern is realized in the length direction (i.e., the longest side of the garage door section). The forming processes also produces significantly deep and smooth impressions that deform the center of the design. The forming process may be preceded by a texturing process, for example, each garage door section may first be textured and then sent for forming the design.

Abstract: A stored energy emergency barrier release device comprising a barrier and a barrel member for storing the barrier thereon. The barrel member is rotatable on a stationary counterbalance shaft and a push down shaft. The release device further includes a push down spring coupled to the push down shaft for storing potential energy in order to exert a closing force on the barrier when the release device is positioned from an engaged position to a released position. The release device includes a reset mechanism interfaced with the push down spring for transmitting a lifting torque to the push down spring in response to moving the barrier from a first position to a second position to store energy within the push down spring.

Abstract: Disclosed are alternate embodiments of various components of a barrier operator system. and methods of operation, including of the mechanical drive subsystem with segmented and self-locking rail unit, rail mounting supports, belt and chain drive tensioning, and drive assembly carriage and interface; the electronics and software routines for controlled operation of the various barrier operator functions; wall console communications with the barrier operator; encryption and decryption of access codes; establishment and monitoring of travel limits and barrier speed and force profiles; thermal protection of barrier operator drive motors; and establishment and control of communications from the barrier operator to accessories by way of a wireless adapter.

Abstract: A latch assembly for a door comprising a bolt disposed on the door, the bolt movable between a locked position and an unlocked position. The latch assembly further includes a lock plate disposed on a door jamb, the lock plate movable between an upper position and a lower position. During operation, when the bolt is in the locked position, the bolt slideably engages the lock plate to move the lock plate from the lower position to an upper position to enable the bolt to be inserted within an opening in the lock plate to secure the door in a closed position.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides an emergency door release operable to release or command-to-close a rolling emergency door from its uppermost, or open, position to its lowermost, or closed, position, in response to an emergency condition even when there is a loss of mains input power, while also avoiding releasing the door solely upon a loss of mains power. The emergency door release comprises an emergency detector for detecting an emergency condition, a microcontroller for closing/releasing the rolling door in response to the emergency condition, a backup power means for providing backup power to the microcontroller during a loss of mains power, and a door retention system for retaining the rolling door when powered, and releasing the door when power is removed from the door retention system.

Abstract: Disclosed are alternate embodiments of various components of a barrier operator system. and methods of operation, including of the mechanical drive subsystem with segmented and self-locking rail unit, rail mounting supports, belt and chain drive tensioning, and drive assembly carriage and interface; the electronics and software routines for controlled operation of the various barrier operator functions; wall console communications with the barrier operator; encryption and decryption of access codes; establishment and monitoring of travel limits and barrier speed and force profiles; thermal protection of barrier operator drive motors; and establishment and control of communications from the barrier operator to accessories by way of a wireless adapter.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a barrier operator system in which a remotely located transceiver type controller is in wireless communication with a transceiver type adapter connected to a barrier operator, and in electronic communication with the barrier operator's microcontroller. The controller is operable to wirelessly transmit door operator status inquiries to the adapter. This may be effected automatically in connection with the transmission and receipt by the adapter of door toggle commands or separate and apart from same. The status information is wirelessly transmitted by the adapter in broadcast form without source or destination address to the remote device in a signal that is non-addressed broadcast door operator (and, indirectly, door) status information by relying upon the receipt of the message by the remote within the specific time limit of the reception window of the remote.

Abstract: An improved barrier door one way wireless communication system for operating a barrier, such as a garage door, includes the transmission and reception of multibit code hopping data packets in combination with automatic RF channel switching. Packet data is transmitted automatically on more than one RF channels in a switching style while sending two or more redundant multibit code hopping data packets on each of the RF channels. The system also provides for the learning of a transmitter to a receiver where two or more code hopping data packets must be received and decoded by the receiver on all RF channels before a transmitter can be learned to a receiver. Once the transmitter is learned, actuation of the transmitter during a learn mode can open a window for learning of a single channel transmitter.

Abstract: An apparatus for stopping the descent of a rolling type barrier includes a stator ring having a brake slot and a rotor rotatably disposed within the stator ring. The rotor includes at least one stop pawl pivotally attached to the rotor and configured to pivotably engage the brake slot when the rotor reaches a pre-determined rotational velocity. The apparatus further includes a latch pivotably attached to the stator ring. In response to the at least one stop pawl entering the brake slot, the latch secures the pawl in the brake slot.

Abstract: A platform screen gate system having a tower, a gate secured to the tower. The gate is movable between an open position, to facilitate access to and from the platform, and a closed position, to block access to and from the platform. The system further includes at least one roller secured to the tower and a track secured to the gate. The track is supported by and movable on the least one roller such that the door cantilevers from the tower and remains above the platform when the door is moved between the open and closed positions.

Abstract: A sliding door panel and assembly is described, such that when in the door panel is in an open arrangement there is a functional cooperation or coupling between at least a first unit and a second unit of the assembly. The second unit is generally affixed to the sliding door and the first unit is fixedly mounted with a sliding door guide system or to a header/footer or frame. A third unit may be included with the assembly such that when the sliding door panel is positioned in the open arrangement, the third unit limits engagement between the first and second units. In addition, the third unit is positioned to limit linear movement of a slideable portion of the first unit thereby preventing damage.