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 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 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: 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 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 having portions that releasably engage said panels 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 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 limited-use appliance 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 method for pre-installing an appliance is also disclosed and includes the steps of pre-installing an appliance with a controller, wherein the controller operates the appliance in a limited manner. An input device from a group of input devices is associated with the controller, wherein the input device generates an input signal to operate the appliance. And the pre-determined criteria maintained by the controller is tested such that the input signal from the controller is blocked when the pre-determined criteria is met.

Abstract: A sectional door (20,120) for articulated movement between an open position and a closed position having a plurality of interconnected panels (21, 22, 23; 121, 122, 123, 124), a body portion of the panels spacing a first decorative rail (30A, 31A; 130A, 131A, 132A, 133A) and a second decorative rail (30B, 31B; 130B, 131B, 132B, 133B), projections (64, 65, 66, 67; 172, 173) disposed along the first decorative rail and the second decorative rail, the projections (64, 65, 66, 67; 172, 173) configured to form a pinch resistant interface (61, 62; 161, 162, 163) between the panels during articulation thereof, the body portion having an exterior surface (26, 27; 125, 126, 127, 128), the exterior surfaces being spaced an offset depth (D) from the first decorative rail and the second decorative rail, and decorative components (35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40; 145, 146, 147, 148) attached to the exterior surface and positioned between the first decorative rail and the second decorative rail, whereby the decorative components ar

Abstract: An operator system and related methods (10) for sensing forces on a movable barrier (12) includes a motor (52), a trolley (30), and a trolley arm (34) having a first end slidably supported by the trolley (38) and a second end coupled to the movable barrier. The motor moves the trolley arm which in turn moves the movable barrier. A force detection mechanism (68) is coupled to the motor to determine a first component force value applied by the motor. A controller (54) receives the first component force value and determines a detected force value by scaling the first component force value with a second component force value derived from an angular position of the trolley arm's first end with respect to the trolley. The angular position of the trolley arm may be fixed or variable. An angle potentiometer (72) is coupled to the trolley arm to generate an angle signal for use as the second component force value when the trolley arm's angular position is allowed to vary.

Abstract: A door system comprising, a plurality of sections pivotally joined to each other by a hinge assembly, the hinge assembly being pivotally supported on one of the sections and having a leg that extends from the one of the sections to an adjacent section to attach thereto, a stop assembly including a stop member extending forwardly from the leg toward a stop receiver carried on the one of the sections, whereby interaction of the stop member and the stop receiver ensure alignment of the sections.

Abstract: A sectional door (20) having a plurality of panels (21,22,23,24) including, a body portion (25) of the panels spacing and joining longitudinal edges (40, 50), one of the edges (40) between adjacent panels on a first panel having a substantially concave curvilinear surface (45) in vertical cross-section, the other of the edges (50) between adjacent panels on a second panel having a substantially planar surface (52) in vertical cross-section, longitudinally-spaced hinges (65) interconnecting the first and second panels for pivotal movement. A panel (22) for sectional door (20) having a generally rectangular foam core (140, 240, 340), an inner surface (145, 245, 345) extending the longitudinal length of said foam core, and a recess (150,250,350) in the inner surface and the foam core extending the longitudinal length of the foam core.

Abstract: A sectional door (20) having a plurality of panels (21, 22, 23, 24) including, a body portion (25) of the panels spacing and joining longitudinal edges (40, 50), one of the edges (40) between adjacent panels on a first panel having a substantially concave curvilinear surface (45) in vertical cross-section, the other of the edges (50) between adjacent panels on a second panel having a substantially planar surface (52) in vertical cross-section, longitudinally-spaced hinges (65) interconnecting the first and second panels for pivotal movement.