Abstract: A setup and calibration unit for a barrier operator is operable to communicate with the operator's own controller. The calibration unit includes a control circuit connected to a visual display and to a set of switches controlled by switch actuators for placing the operator controller in a controller run mode or calibration mode, scrolling through selected actions displayed on the display in one direction or the other, a set/clear function and display backlighting for user interaction with the setup and calibration unit. The setup and calibration unit is particularly adapted for use with upward acting sectional and roll-up doors and other types of barriers movable between open and closed positions by motorized operators. The calibration unit may be operably connected to the operator controller via hard wiring, a radio frequency link or an infrared or visible light transmission link.

Abstract: Low cost, low power consumption radio frequency transceivers are incorporated in barrier operator control systems for transmitting signals between an operator control unit, one or more remote control units, a diagnostic or calibration device and an obstruction detector. Similar detector devices, including such transceivers, may be employed in loading docks for detecting the status of dock levelers and vehicle restraint devices. Radio frequency communication eliminates the need for hard wiring and also provides for transmission of commands and status information between various control units.

Abstract: A torsion coil spring type counterbalance system for an upward acting door includes one or more sleeves disposed over or within the spring coils and engageable with a predetermined number of spring coils during operation of the spring to modify the spring rate to more closely approximate the required counterbalance forces exertable on the door when the door moves between open and closed positions. The counterbalance system is particularly advantageous for upward acting sectional doors which have one or more sections which are heavier than the other sections, including an uppermost section which may be heavier due to the provision of windows or other structural features of the section.

Abstract: A setup and calibration unit for a barrier operator is operable to communicate with the operator's own controller. The calibration unit includes a control circuit connected to a visual display and to a set of switches controlled by switch actuators for placing the operator controller in a controller run mode or calibration mode, scrolling through selected actions displayed on the display in one direction or the other, a set/clear function and display backlighting for user interaction with the setup and calibration unit. The setup and calibration unit is particularly adapted for use with upward acting sectional and roll-up doors and other types of barriers movable between open and closed positions by motorized operators. The calibration unit may be operably connected to the operator controller via hard wiring, a radio frequency link or an infrared or visible light transmission link.

Abstract: A barrier operator system, such as a garage door operator system, includes one or more remote control units, such as an inside remote control unit, an external wall mounted remote control unit and portable vehicle disposed remote control units which include speech recognition modules for recognizing spoken command signals to open or close a garage door or energize or de-energize lighting associated with the garage. The speech recognition modules are operably connected to interface or microcontroller circuits for operating a radio frequency transmitter for sending signals to operate lighting, and/or the barrier operator to move a barrier between open and closed positions, and possibly perform other functions.

Abstract: A torsion coil spring type counterbalance system for an upward acting door includes one or more sleeves disposed over or within the spring coils and engageable with a pre-determined number of spring coils during operation of the spring to modify the spring rate to more closely approximate the required counterbalance forces exertable on the door when the door moves between open and closed positions. The counterbalance system is particularly advantageous for upward acting sectional doors which have one or more sections which are heavier than the other sections, including an uppermost section which may be heavier due to the provision of windows or other structural features of the section.

Abstract: A glazing system for use with a barrier that has a panel with an opening is disclosed. An impact glazing, which covers the opening, includes an inner surface and an outer surface and a plurality of apertures around its periphery. A fastener having a fastener head passes through each corresponding aperture and into the panel. The glazing system also includes an elastically deformable washer positioned between each fastener head and the impact glazing. The glazing system may also include an inner bezel covering the periphery of the glazing on the inner surface and an outer bezel covering the periphery of the glazing on the outer surface, wherein the bezels are secured to the barrier and the glazing by a corresponding piece of adhesive tape.

Abstract: Low cost, low power consumption radio frequency transceivers are incorporated in barrier operator control systems for transmitting signals between an operator control unit, one or more remote control units, a diagnostic or calibration device and an obstruction detector. Similar detector devices, including such transceivers, may be employed in loading docks for detecting the status of dock levelers and vehicle restraint devices. Radio frequency communication eliminates the need for hard wiring and also provides for transmission of commands and status information between various control units.

Abstract: A movable door panel having a front facer with opposed longitudinal edge profiles, rails secured to the longitudinal edge profiles, a rear facer secured to the rails, and foam disposed within an inner volume defined by the front facer, the rails and the rear facer is disclosed. Transverse stiffeners are disposed within the inner volume and the foam, and extend between the opposed rails. The door panel may be made by continuously providing the front facer with a rail secured thereto, continuously positioning transverse stiffeners on the front facer and extending between the metal rails, and continuously applying a foaming material on the front facer and the transverse stiffeners. The method concludes by bringing a rear facer into contact with the metal rails, and drawing the panel through a laminator. Hardware may then be attached to one or both of the facers and the stiffener.

Abstract: A revolving security door includes a drum defining a secure zone between door openings controlled by a revolving door disposed within the drum and wherein light curtain sensors and active infrared sensors may detect an intruder moving from a non-secure side of the doorway to the secure side and detect objects left behind in a secure zone. Methods of operation prevent persons or objects from passing from the non-secure side to the secure side of the doorway.

Abstract: A revolving security door includes a drum defining a secure zone between door openings controlled by a revolving door disposed within the drum and wherein light curtain sensors and active infrared sensors may detect an intruder moving from a non-secure side of the doorway to the secure side and detect objects left behind in a secure zone. Methods of operation prevent persons or objects from passing from the non-secure side to the secure side of the doorway.

Abstract: A door hoist includes a bracket, drive sprocket, ring gear, hub assembly, set of planetary gears, and governor shaft. The drive sprocket has a drive sprocket axis. The ring gear is fastened to the drive sprocket. The ring gear has a ring gear axis that is in alignment with the drive sprocket axis. The hub assembly includes a connector to receive a door drive shaft and secure the door drive shaft in a fixed rotational alignment with the hub assembly. The set of planetary gears is rotationally mounted to the hub assembly. The set of planetary gears is configured to mate with the ring gear. The governor shaft includes a sun gear, brake assembly, and link. The sun gear is configured to mate with the set of planetary gears. The brake assembly has an engaged position and a disengaged position. The sun gear is rotationally fixed relative to the bracket in response to the brake assembly being in the engaged position.

Abstract: An electric motor driven barrier operator includes spaced apart frame plates for supporting the motor, an intermediate drive shaft and an operator final output shaft. The motor output shaft, intermediate shaft and final output shaft are mounted on bearings at fixed centers on the frame plates and the motor and intermediate shaft are interconnected by a stretchable flexible drive belt reeved over respective drive pulleys mounted on the motor output shaft and the intermediate shaft. The drive belt may be mounted on the pulleys and replaced without adjusting the position of the motor output shaft, the intermediate shaft or the operator output shaft.

Abstract: A door system (20) having a door (21) movable between a closed position and an open position, a plurality of panels (40-43; 140-143; 240-243), a facer (45; 145; 245) generally defining the configuration of the panels, hinges (50; 150; 250) joining adjacent of the panels for articulation in moving between the closed position and the open position, a reinforcing member (65; 165; 265) associated with the facer extending substantially the longitudinal length of at least one of the panels, a roller assembly (80; 180; 280) mounted on the reinforcing member, and a track system (31, 32; 131, 132; 231, 232) operatively interrelated with the roller assembly, whereby forces imparted to the facer are transferred to the track system through the reinforcing member and the roller assembly.

Abstract: An automatic barrier operator system for operating a gate or upward acting garage door, for example, includes a controller for operating a reversible motor, a base radio frequency transmitter and a base radio frequency receiver. One or more remote control units include a radio frequency remote receiver and remote transmitter. The controller is operable to automatically close or open the barrier in response to a query signal sent from the base transmitter to the remote receiver and when the remote receiver is within range, returning a signal to effect operation of the barrier. The system is operable to effect operation or maintain the status quo of the barrier depending on the state of the barrier and a particular signal or lack of signal received by the controller from an authorized remote control unit or units. The system provides essentially hands-free automatic operation of opening and closing a garage door and the like.

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: A door system (10) including, a door (D) movably mounted on a track assembly (15), a counterbalance system (20) connected to the door and having at least one spring (25), a tool adapter (26) proximate at least one end of the counterbalance system, a detachable winding assembly (30) adapted to selectively engage and selectively rotate the tool adapter to adjust tensioning of the spring, and a locking assembly (36) interacting with the counterbalance system to maintain a selected tensioning of the counterbalance system upon detaching the winding assembly from the tool adapter.

Abstract: A track assembly for an overhead door (10) includes a generally vertically positionable track segment (14) and a generally horizontally positionable track segment (15). The track segment (14) includes a curvilinear portion (17) at one end thereof which telescopically receives a curvilinear portion (21) of the track segment (15). The curvilinear portion (17) of the track segment (14) has a smaller radius of curvature than the curvilinear portion (21) of the track segment (15). In one embodiment, a bracket (30) has tabs (40) which are received in a slot aperture (42) in the curvilinear portion (17) to attach it to the bracket (30), and the bracket (30) has a lug (41) which is received in a slot (44) in the curvilinear portion (21) to attach it to the bracket (30). In another embodiment, the track segment (14) is carried by a bracket (51), and the track segment (15) is carried by a bracket (52) with the telescopic relationship being the only connection between the track segments (14, 15).

Abstract: An automatic barrier operator system for operating a gate or upward acting garage door, for example, includes a controller for operating a reversible motor, a base radio frequency transmitter and a base radio frequency receiver. One or more remote control units include a radio frequency remote receiver and remote transmitter. The controller is operable to automatically close or open the barrier in response to a query signal sent from the base transmitter to the remote receiver and when the remote receiver is within range, returning a signal to effect operation of the barrier. The system is operable to effect operation or maintain the status quo of the barrier depending on the state of the barrier and a particular signal or lack of signal received by the controller from an authorized remote control unit or units. The system provides essentially hands-free automatic operation of opening and closing a garage door and the like.

Abstract: A door system includes a flexible corrugated closure member guided between door open and closed positions in spaced apart opposed vertical and horizontal sets of guide tracks and further guided by transition guide wheels mounted on an enclosure frame for guiding the closure member between the sets of guide tracks. The transition guide wheels are supported for movement between working and non-working positions to facilitate storage or shipping the door system or an enclosure unit including the door system, as a substantially planar stack of wall, ceiling and floor members forming the enclosure.