Patents by Inventor Andrew J. Michel

Andrew J. Michel has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Retro-reflective infrared safety sensor for garage door operators
    Patent number: 5656900
    Abstract: A garage door operator has an electric motor controlled by a control unit. A transmission is connected to the motor to be driven thereby to open and close a garage door. An infrared obstacle detector is connected to the control unit and includes a unitary infrared pulse emitter and an infrared detector. A missing pulse detector is coupled to the infrared detector to generate a door opening signal if the door is closing when the pulses are absent due to the infrared being interrupted by an obstacle or not having been generated. The control unit receives the door opening signal and causes the electric motor to open the garage door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 12, 1997
    Assignee: The Chamberlain Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew J. Michel, Colin B. Willmott