Abstract: A flexible curtain rollup door includes a drum mounted on a door frame and drivenly connected to an electric right angle gear motor unit. The frame includes opposed channel shaped guide tracks for receiving opposed side edges of a door curtain. Spaced apart elastically deflectable combination curtain stiffening struts and windlock members are secured to the curtain and include opposed windlock parts receivable in the guide tracks and configured, respectively, to provide for releasing only one side edge of the curtain from its guide track. A flexible transverse bottom bar includes plural side by side flexible bags filled with particulate material, secured to the curtain bottom edge and enclosed by a flexible envelope member. The curtain bottom edge includes a stiffener formed of interconnected links.

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 sliding door includes a frame comprising an elongated header member having a topwall, a backwall, an intermediate wall and a bottom wall. The bottom wall and intermediate wall are engageable with sliding door panel support rollers and the bottom wall and intermediate wall are interconnected by a separate support member to distribute door panel loads between such walls. A movable cover is attached to the header member by a hinge part including spaced apart flanges and projections co-operable with projections on the header member to support the cover in open and closed positions. The door operator is supported in the header member by a single angle-shaped frame member supporting a power supply, a controller and a door operator motor. An adjustable torsion bar assembly supports the door panel against sagging.

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 barrier operator includes a drive motor and a controller for causing the motor to move the barrier between open and closed positions and for monitoring parameters related to forces acting on the barrier during movement thereof. If no external entrapment device is connected to the controller, the controller automatically sets maximum control limit values which will effect stopping or reversing of the motor if an obstruction is encountered by the barrier. If an external entrapment device is connected to the controller, the controller requires a user to set the control limit values at least for movement of the barrier from an open position to a closed position. Audio or visual signal indicators associated with the controller alert the user to the requirement to set the control limits before the operator will effect movement of the barrier.

Abstract: A barrier operator includes a drive motor and a controller for causing the motor to move the barrier between open and closed positions and for monitoring parameters related to forces acting on the barrier during movement thereof. If no external entrapment device is connected to the controller, the controller automatically sets maximum control limit values which will effect stopping or reversing of the motor if an obstruction is encountered by the barrier. If an external entrapment device is connected to the controller, the controller requires a user to set the control limit values at least for movement of the barrier from an open position to a closed position. Audio or visual signal indicators associated with the controller alert the user to the requirement to set the control limits before the operator will effect movement of the barrier.

Abstract: A motorized operator for moving a barrier, such as a garage door, between open and closed positions, includes a magnetic sensor for determining position and/or velocity of the barrier. The operator motor is drivingly connected to a speed change transmission which is connected to the barrier. The magnetic sensor includes a housing supporting a speed change mechanism including an output shaft supporting a magnet. The magnet is mounted adjacent a Hall effect sensor circuit which measures the change in the magnetic field generated by the magnet to determine position of the barrier, as well as speed. Control circuitry enables accurate determination of the position of the barrier for setting open and closed limit positions, for example.

Abstract: A motorized universal swing door operator includes a motor driving a gear reduction drive mechanism having an output shaft adapted to be connected to a swing door operating arm. The output shaft supports a sprocket around which is trained a chain having opposite ends connected to a link supported on a shaft which is connected to a return spring. The return spring stores and returns energy regardless of the direction of rotation of the output shaft so as to provide the universal operating capability of the operator.

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 console device for controlling a door operator for a motor operated door includes a housing; a transmitter unit, a door operator control circuit, a user accessible door operator switch operable to control a door, an LED driven menu operably connected to the control circuit, an alphanumeric keypad and user input push buttons. The LED driven menu provides visual programming feedback to the user. The LED driven menu may provide feedback such as a home state or ready indicator, a door selector, user code or PIN assignment designators and a programming error indicator.

Abstract: A flexible curtain rollup door includes a drum mounted on a door frame and drivenly connected to an electric right angle gear motor unit. The frame includes opposed channel shaped guide tracks for receiving opposed side edges of a door curtain. Spaced apart elastically deflectable combination curtain stiffening struts and windlock members are secured to the curtain and include opposed windlock parts receivable in the guide tracks and configured, respectively, to provide for releasing only one side edge of the curtain from its guide track. A flexible transverse bottom bar includes plural side by side flexible bags filled with particulate material, secured to the curtain bottom edge and enclosed by a flexible envelope member. The curtain bottom edge includes a stiffener formed of interconnected links.

Abstract: A console device for controlling a door operator for a motor operated door includes a housing; a transmitter unit, a door operator control circuit, a user accessible door operator switch operable to control a door, an LED driven menu operably connected to the control circuit, an alphanumeric keypad and user input push buttons. The LED driven menu provides visual programming feedback to the user. The LED driven menu may provide feedback such as a home state or ready indicator, a door selector, user code or PIN assignment designators and a programming error indicator.

Abstract: A console or controller unit for a garage door operator includes a message recording and playback device. The console unit may be wall mounted or configured as a remote transmitter type unit and includes a molded light transmitting switch actuator part mounted on a housing part of the console unit between an outer wall and a circuit board and comprising integrally molded door operator, garage lighting and message record, playback and erase switch actuators. LED indicators provide light for illuminating the switch actuators and for indicating a message waiting and low battery power. The message recording and playback circuitry is electrically isolated from the door operator control circuitry and is battery powered. The message recording and playback device includes a programmable microcontroller for controlling a voice message recording and playback circuit.

Abstract: A battery operated controller for a door operator includes a keypad backlit by a light emitting diode operably connected to a microcontroller which also controls operation of the controller. The microcontroller periodically measures ambient light as sensed by the light emitting diode and when a voltage level related to a predetermined light intensity decreases below a predetermined level the light emitting diode is energized to provide backlighting for the controller keypad. The intensity of backlighting may be varied in accordance with the amount of ambient light illuminating the keypad and above a certain intensity of ambient light the light emitting diode is de-energized to conserve battery power.

Abstract: A control unit for a moveable barrier, such as a garage door, includes a microcontroller connected to a motor speed detector, motor current sensor or a sensor for determining forces exerted on or by the barrier. A user interface includes user actuatable switches for setting a first maximum force value to be exerted on or by the barrier when moving in one direction and the microcontroller automatically sets the value of a second maximum force to be exerted on or by the barrier when moving in the opposite direction. The second force value may be based on the force value set by the user or the second force value may be a preset value. Both force limits may be automatically set as a function of a maximum force exerted on said barrier during movement thereof, during a force learning operation.

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: An operator for a barrier, such as an upward acting door, includes a control unit having two optical limit switches providing output signals to a controller to effect shut-off of the operator motor when the door reaches open and closed limit positions. The limit switches preferably include LED emitter and phototransistor sensor elements and are preferably mounted on a circuit board in close proximity to a screw member which rotates in timed relation to the position of the door. Linearly movable nut members are mounted on the screw member and include or engage optical shield members which move into positions to provide respective output signals from the optical switches. The door closed optical limit switch may incorporate a pre-limit switch function to override a signal from a door bottom edge obstruction sensor.

Abstract: A console or controller unit for a garage door operator includes a message recording and playback device. The console unit may be wall mounted or configured as a remote transmitter type unit and includes a molded light transmitting switch actuator part mounted on a housing part of the console unit between an outer wall and a circuit board and comprising integrally molded door operator, garage lighting and message record, playback and erase switch actuators. LED indicators provide light for illuminating the switch actuators and for indicating a message waiting and low battery power. The message recording and playback circuitry is electrically isolated from the door operator control circuitry and is battery powered. The message recording and playback device includes a programmable microcontroller for controlling a voice message recording and playback circuit.

Abstract: A counterbalance system for an upward acting door includes a cable drum support shaft and a torsion spring drive mechanism mounted adjacent one or both sides of the door and drivably connected to the drum support shaft. The spring drive mechanism includes a torsion coil spring mounted on a frame and connected to a vertically oriented shaft which, in turn, is connected to an output shaft by way of a bevel gear drive. A spring winder device is connected to one end of the spring and to the frame. Indicia on the spring is viewable through a window on the mechanism frame for indicating the number of revolutions imposed on the spring to set a predetermined counterbalance torque.

Abstract: A counterbalance system for an upward-acting door includes spaced-apart wall brackets and cable drums supported on the brackets and connected to flexible cables which depend from the drums and connected to the lower side edges of an upward-acting sectional garage door. One or both of the cable drums may be connected to one end of a torsion coil spring and the opposite end of each spring is connected to a hub assembly. Elongated spring winding and protective cover tubes are sleeved over the springs and are connected to the brackets by worm-gear drive winding mechanisms, respectively, for rotating the tubes to effect winding of the torsion coil springs through the hub assemblies but preventing rotation of the tubes during normal operation of the counterbalance system. The cable drums and spring hub assemblies may be supported on an elongated synchronizing shaft or a torque transfer shaft extending between and supported on the wall brackets.