Abstract: A glass facer for a constructions board includes a first non-woven layer of coarse fibers and a second non-woven layer of coarse fibers and microfibers. The glass facer also includes a binder that simultaneously binds or adheres the coarse fibers of the first non-woven layer together, the coarse fibers and the microfibers of the second non-woven layer together, and the first non-woven layer to the second non-woven layer. The first non-woven layer has a porosity and air permeability that enables the first non-woven layer to absorb a material of the construction board when the glass facer is positioned atop the construction board during manufacture of the construction board. The second non-woven layer is configured to block the material of the construction board from passing through the glass facer to an exterior surface of the second non-woven layer so that the material is not externally visible.

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 method is disclosed for calculating a transition monitor value for one or more milk-producing animals so as to enable its use in evaluating and optimally managing the health and productivity (i.e., the transition performance) of those individual animals and of their herds. An expected milk production is calculated for a given time period of a current lactation based both on the individual's performance in her previous lactation and on her current state. Transition monitor values are calculated as the difference between actual and expected milk production values. The transition monitor values can then be used to evaluate and to optimize the health and productivity of both individuals and herds of individuals and to make comparisons of transition monitor programs both within and between herds.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for calculating a transition monitor value for one or more milk-producing animals so as to enable its use in evaluating and optimally managing the health and productivity (i.e., the transition performance) of those individual animals and of their herds. An expected milk production is calculated for a given time period of a current lactation based both on the individual's performance in her previous lactation and on her current state. Transition monitor values are calculated as the difference between actual and expected milk production values. The transition monitor values can then be used to evaluate and to optimize the health and productivity of both individuals and herds of individuals and to make comparisons of transition monitor programs both within and between herds.

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 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 method is disclosed for calculating a transition monitor value for one or more milk-producing animals so as to enable its use in evaluating and optimally managing the health and productivity (i.e., the transition performance) of those individual animals and of their herds. An expected milk production is calculated for a given time period of a current lactation based both on the individual's performance in her previous lactation and on her current state. Transition monitor values are calculated as the difference between actual and expected milk production values. The transition monitor values can then be used to evaluate and to optimize the health and productivity of both individuals and herds of individuals and to make comparisons of transition monitor programs both within and between herds.

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: 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: The present invention provides a method for controlling lighting fixtures over a wireless network that includes connecting a junction box to a power source, connecting a lighting fixture to the junction box, establishing a connection over a wireless network between the junction box and a controller, and controlling a function of the lighting fixture by transmitting a signal from the controller to the junction box over the wireless network.

Abstract: A cable tensioner (20) for a sectional overhead door (D) having a motor-driven counterbalance system (30) including, a spring-loaded axle (31), cable drums (24) carried by the axle, cables (C) attached to and interconnecting the cable drums and the door and forming and releasing cable wraps (29) on the cable drums upon raising and lowering of the door, the cable tensioner having, a tension spring (31) adapted to be mounted on the sectional door having a first end (34) and a second end (35), the first end being adapted to engage the door and the second end being adapted to slidingly engage the cable, wherein the tension spring urges the second end to take up any slack in the cable.

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 barrier operating system having a diagnostic performance feature includes a motorized barrier movable between limit positions and a counterbalance system coupled to the barrier. A disconnect mechanism may be interposed between the motor and the counterbalance system so that the barrier can be moved manually without assistance from the motor. A position detection device is coupled to either the barrier or the counterbalance system and generates a barrier position signal. One of the motor and the position detection device generates operational parameter values for the barrier moving in either direction. A controller receives the operational parameter values and the barrier position signal, and as the barrier is manually moved, the controller compares operational parameter values for each direction of movement at a given position and generates a diagnostic signal based upon the comparison.

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 barrier operating system having a diagnostic performance feature includes a motorized barrier movable between limit positions and a counterbalance system coupled to the barrier. A disconnect mechanism may be interposed between the motor and the counterbalance system so that the barrier can be moved manually without assistance from the motor. A position detection device is coupled to either the barrier or the counterbalance system and generates a barrier position signal. One of the motor and the position detection device generates operational parameter values for the barrier moving in either direction. A controller receives the operational parameter values and the barrier position signal, and as the barrier is manually moved, the controller compares operational parameter values for each direction of movement at a given position and generates a diagnostic signal based upon the comparison.

Abstract: An operator system and related methods for automatically controlling access barriers including a controller associated with at least one access barrier and a transceiver associated with the controller for transmitting and receiving operational signals. The system also includes at least one proximity device capable of communicating operational signals with the transceiver based upon a position of the proximity device with respect to the barrier, wherein the controller monitors the operational signals and controls the position of the access barrier based upon the operation signals. Such a system allows for hands-free operation of the access barrier. Ground loop detectors and a global positioning system may also be incorporated into the system. And the system may be used to control the directional flow of traffic on a one-way road.

Abstract: A method for interacting with an underlying program using e-mail includes receiving an APPMAIL request from a user (or automated process) of an underlying program. The APPMAIL request defines a task requiring input from one or more recipients. An APPMAIL is generated based upon the request. The APPMAIL includes a body providing information concerning the task and at least one structured input portion. The structured input portion includes at least one structured input field for receiving pre-defined structured input from the recipient(s). The APPMAIL can also include an unstructured input portion for receiving unstructured input data from the recipient(s). The APPMAIL is sent to the recipient(s) via e-mail and completed APPMAILs are received from the recipient(s) via http(s) post or e-mail. Each completed APPMAIL comprises structured input data entered by the recipient in the at least one structured input field. The structured input data is extracted from the structured input field.

Abstract: A limited-use appliance, such as a garage door operator or a home network bridge device, is disclosed which has at least one input device for generating an input signal and a controller associated with the input device and receiving the input signal. The controller initiates at least one limited-use function of the appliance upon receipt of the input signal. A test device is maintained by the controller, and has a predetermined criteria which determines whether the input signal should be sent on to the controller or not. A warning system may be incorporated so that imminent expiration of the limited-use functions initiate warnings for the benefit of the end-user.

Abstract: A sectional door (20) having a plurality of panels (21)joined for moving between open and closed positions of the door and having pinch resistant panel-to-panel interfaces (41), said panels having a body portion (21?) spacing said interfaces, an inner surface (23) and an outer surface (22) of said body portion, and decorative components (31, 32) arranged in a patterned design upon said outer surface of said body portion, said decorative components being positioned on said panels proximate to said panel-to-panel interfaces and attached to said panels for movement of said decorative components to provide a pinch resistant interface between decorative components on adjacent of said panels.

Abstract: A sectional door (20) having a plurality of panels (21) joined for moving between open and closed positions of the door and having pinch resistant panel-to-panel interfaces (41), said panels having a body portion (21?) spacing said interfaces, an inner surface (23) and an outer surface (22) of said body portion, and decorative components (31, 32) arranged in a patterned design upon said outer surface of said body portion, said decorative components being positioned on said panels proximate to said panel-to-panel interfaces and having portions that releasably engage said panels to provide a pinch resistant interface between decorative components on adjacent of said panels.