Abstract: A gate movement arresting and locking system which is effective to automatically reduce the velocity of movement of a gate as it approaches an end position, but which also allows for tight closing at the end position and automatically locking at that end position. The gate movement arresting and locking system of the invention relies upon a very simple circuit arrangement which uses a pair of diodes and capacitor arrangement for controlling the movement of current and thereby operating an electromagnet in either the gate or a fixed obstruction at the closed position and which operates in conjunction with a magnet in the other of the gate or fixed obstruction.

Abstract: A gate operator which provides for an opening and closing movement of a gate in response to an external opening and closing signal. The gate operator of the invention cushions the movement and reduces the impact against a fixed member at the fully opened and/or fully closed positions with a magnetically operable gate repelling and gate attracting arrangement. The repelling and attracting arrangement functions as a switching system and comprises a first magnetically operable member, such as a permanent magnetic, on a fixed member at the end position, or otherwise on the gate, and an electromagnet on the other of the fixed member or gate. In this way, the magnetically operable system applies a momentary force to the gate in opposition to the movement to that end position and then releases the force to reduce impact with any abutment at that end position. The magnetic force is then reversed and provides a magnetic locking action when the gate is at that end position.

Abstract: An operator for an overhead door, such as a garage door, to raise and lower the door. The operator comprises a chain drive which is rotated about upper and lower pulleys and powered by a drive motor. Preferably, a pair of spaced apart drive chains are employed. A carriage is secured to the one or a pair of drive chains and is releasably connected to the drive chains by connecting blocks extending outwardly from the carriage. The garage door is thereupon secured to the carriage for raising and lowering movement thereof. Each drive chain includes one double-pitch link for connecting the ends of the chain to form a continuous loop. Each connecting block is provided with a releasable pin which extends into the double-pitch link for releasably securing the carriage to the drive chains. Removal of the pin for each drive chain will allow manual movement of the carriage and hence, the door.

Abstract: A gate operator with an extensible actuating arm adapted for light to moderate gate passing traffic. The operator comprises a small drive unit, such as an electric motor drive, and a rotatable drive shaft, such as a worm shaft driven through operation of the motor. An extensible shaft or so-called ball race shaft, cooperates with the rotatable shaft and extends inwardly or outwardly in response to rotation of the rotatable shaft. A microprocessor operated control circuit is used with or forms part of the operator, and measures a number of counts generated by magnetic elements rotatable with the worm shaft, and which are equivalent to distance units of measurement. In this way, the distance on the opening and closing movement is measured and stored in the microprocessor, so that on subsequent movements, the gate can open and close to precisely the open and closed positions without stopping short of or banging into such end positions.

Abstract: A gate opening and closing apparatus, typically referred to as a "gate operator" and which automatically moves a gate, such as a swinging gate between opened and closed positions. The gate operator of the invention employs a power unit, such as an electrically motor driven power unit which rotates a power arm. A crank arm is releasably connected to the power arm and movable therewith. In addition, the crank arm is, in turn, connected to a connecting arm which has one end connected to the gate for movement of the gate. The invention relies upon the use of a swing movement control mechanism in place of stop rings which were previously used to control the limits of movement of the gate. The swing movement control mechanism comprises a swing movement control plate shiftable along the crank arm so that the connecting arm which is also pivoted on the swing movement control plate can be connected to a gate having a desired swing or so-called "throw".

Abstract: A gate operator for moving a gate between two fixed end positions such as a gate opened position and a gate closed position and minimizing the possibility of impact with a fixed structure at either of these end positions. The operator relies upon measuring the number of electrical pulses or so-called counts representative of a distance between the two fixed end positions. The gate operator includes a controller in which the number of counts are measured between movement from an open position to a closed position, or a closed position to an open position, and the count is automatically readjusted to eliminate any hard contact of the gate at a fixed closed or open position. In one of the important embodiments of the invention, the gate operator utilizes a controlled coasting system.

Abstract: A gate opening and closing apparatus for moving a gate between a gate closed position which covers an access opening and a gate opened position. The apparatus comprises an electric motor for driving the gate between the open position and the closed position. A connecting arrangement connects the electric motor to the gate in order to enable powered movement of the gate between the gate opened and gate closed positions. A control unit in the form of a microprocessor control unit is operatively connected to the electric motor for control of the same and hence control of the movement of the gate. The gate normally remains unlocked at the closed position and is only locked when a force is applied to the gate tending to move same to the open position. In one embodiment, a positive locking mechanism, such as a solenoid lock may be provided and which is automatically locked when an opening force is applied to the gate.

Abstract: A gate opening and closing apparatus for moving a gate between a gate closed position which covers an access opening and a gate opened position. The apparatus comprises an electric motor for driving the gate between the open position and the closed position. A connecting arrangement connects the electric motor to the gate in order to enable powered movement of the gate between the gate opened and gate closed positions. A control unit in the form of a microprocessor control unit is operatively connected to the electric motor for control of the same and hence control of the movement of the gate. The gate normally remains unlocked at the closed position and is only locked when a force is applied to the gate tending to move same to the open position. In one embodiment, a positive locking mechanism, such as a solenoid lock may be provided and which is automatically locked when an opening force is applied to the gate.

Abstract: A gate opening and closing apparatus for moving a gate between a gate closed position which covers an access opening and a gate opened position. The apparatus comprises an electric motor for driving the gate between the open position and the closed position. A connecting arrangement connects the electric motor to the gate in order to enable powered movement of the gate between the gate opened and gate closed positions. A control unit in the form of a microprocessor control unit is operatively connected to the electric motor for control of the same and hence control of the movement of the gate. The gate normally remains unlocked at the closed position and is only locked when a force is applied to the gate tending to move same to the open position. In one embodiment, a positive locking mechanism, such as a solenoid lock, may be provided and which is automatically locked when an opening force is applied to the gate.

Abstract: A gate opening and closing apparatus for automatically moving a gate between opened and closed positions and where the gate can be unlatched in order to permit manual opening and closing movement and easily re-latched for automatic movement thereof. The apparatus comprises a powered drive unit. The gate is moveable and, preferably rotatable about a vertical hinge axis, between a pair of opposite end positions. A drive arm forms part of the opening and closing apparatus and is driven in an arcuate path between a pair of end positions which represent a gate open position and a gate closed position. A coupling arm is normally engaged with the drive arm and may be moveable therewith between the opposite end positions represented by movement of the drive arm. A latching arm is provided for latching the coupling arm to the drive arm. A connecting mechanism connects the coupling arm to the gate to translate the movement from the drive arm and the coupling arm to the gate.

Abstract: A gate opening and closing apparatus for moving a gate between a gate closed position which covers an access opening and a gate opened position. The apparatus comprises an electric motor for driving the gate between the open position and the closed position. A connecting arrangement connects the electric motor to the gate in order to enable powered movement of the gate between the gate opened and gate closed positions. A control unit in the form of a microprocessor control unit is operatively connected to the electric motor for control of the same and hence control of the movement of the gate. The gate normally remains unlocked at the closed position and is only locked when a force is applied to the gate tending to move same to the open position. In one embodiment, a positive locking mechanism, such as a solenoid lock may be provided and which is automatically locked when an opening force is applied to the gate.

Abstract: A voice communication system of the so-called "hands-off" type in which a telephone or other speaker-microphone combination in relatively noise free environment, usually an interior environment, can be in voice communication with a so-called "hands-off" speaker-microphone combination located in a relatively noisy environment, usually an exterior environment and where substantial and variable background noise may exist. A microprocessor is used to effectively monitor a telephone link between the two microphone-speaker combinations and will provide microphone control to that microphone located in the relatively noise free environment. Thus, if voice signals are detected on the telephone link, and if those voice signals eminate from the relatively noise free or relatively quiet environment, voice communication control will remain with the party in that environment.

Abstract: A system and method for the automatic control of electrically operated gates is disclosed which includes a gate position transducer which provides an output signal in the form of pulses representing the incremental motion of the gate. The system also includes electronic circuitry responsive to the output signal of the position transducer for determining when the gate is either fully open or fully closed and also for determining when the gate motion is obstructed. The control system is fully automatic and does not require mechanical adjustments or the use of limit switches. Optional operating modes include an automatic close mode and the simultaneous operation of two gates.

Abstract: An apparatus for shifting a gate from a closed position to an opened position and from the open position to the closed position with respect to an access opening. The apparatus comprises a housing with a motor in the housing, as for example, an electric motor. A drive shaft extends outwardly from the housing and is operable by the motor by means of a drive mechanism. A drive arm is connected to the outer end of the drive shaft, outwardly of the housing, and is rotatable thereby. The drive arm is designed to permit a lever arm or a lever arm assembly to be coupled thereto and which is also capable of being coupled to a gate for moving the same between the opened and closed positions. Further, the apparatus comprises a shaft coupling mechanism operatively associated with the drive arm for coupling the drive arm to the drive shaft so that the drive arm is rotatable with the drive shaft when the motor is operated.

Abstract: A gate opening and closing apparatus for shifting a gate hingedly mounted on one of its sides so that an opposite side thereof can be moved to a closed position with respect to a stationary structure or to an open position with respect to this stationary structure. The apparatus comprises a shiftable member as for example, a plate which is mounted on the gate and is shiftable with respect to the side being hinged and the side thereof being located proximate the stationary member when in the closed position. A rod mechanism which is preferably comprised of a plurality of rods is operatively connected to a source of power, as for example, an electric motor, and this rod mechanism is also connected to the shiftable plate. When the motor is energized, the rod mechanism causes the gate to shift, either from an open position to a closed position, or otherwise, from a closed position to an open position.

Abstract: An improved gate opening and closing apparatus which is designed to shift a gate from an opened position to a closed position and from the closed position to the opened position with respect to an access opening and which preferably shifts the gate in a linear path with respect to the access opening. The apparatus generally comprises a housing which may contain a gear drive along with a motor, such as an electric motor. The motor, through the gear drive, may rotate a drive member, such as a drive wheel, which is operatively connected to the motor and which drive member is capable of being operatively connected to a gate for causing shifting movement of the gate. The apparatus is also provided with a locking mechanism associated with the drive member to prevent movement of the gate when the motive means is not energized.

Abstract: An improved gate-opening and closing assembly which is designed to shiftably move a gate from an opened position to a closed position, and from the closed position to the opened position in a relative planar path. This assembly comprises a lever arm connected to the gate and a drive arm pivotally connected at one end to the lever arm. At the other end, the lever arm is connected to a motor through a clutch mechanism for opening and closing the gate. The drive arm is operatively connected to the motor, such that it moves in a somewhat arcuate path and which causes the lever arm to move in an arcuate path. According to this construction, the assembly permits opening and closing of a relatively large gate with simple harmonic motion. The pair of relatively small arms and the entire assembly can be located within a relatively confined space in order to permit movement of a gate of substantial size.