Patents by Inventor Willis J. Mullet

Willis J. Mullet 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).

  • Patent number: 6431250
    Abstract: A track system for use in a windlocking apparatus is disclosed and claimed. One embodiment includes a housing piece and an interfitting piece. The housing piece includes a channel and the interfitting piece includes a key which slidingly mates with the channel. The housing piece and the interfitting piece each have flanges having smooth contours thereon. Another embodiment employs a track having a first piece and a second piece with the first piece having at least one groove therein and the second piece having at least one protrusion thereon. The protrusion of the second piece interfits with groove of the first piece interlocking the first and second pieces together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2002
    Assignee: Wayne-Dalton Corporation
    Inventors: Willis J. Mullet, Mark S. Hudoba
  • Patent number: 6401792
    Abstract: An operating system for controllably moving in upward and downward directions a sectional door (D) in relation to a door frame (12) having a pair of jambs (13, 14) and an interconnecting header (15), including a counterbalancing system (30) having a drive tube (31) interconnected with the sectional door proximate the ends thereof, a resonible motorized operator (10) mounted adjacent to the drive tube and between the ends of the sectional door, and a drive train (70) interconnecting the drive tube and the motorized operator for selectively driving the sectional door in upward and downward directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2002
    Assignee: Wayne-Dalton Corp.
    Inventors: Willis J. Mullet, Yan Rodriguez, Scott A. Slavik
  • Patent number: 6378593
    Abstract: A manual drive system for operating a protective covering for a building opening is disclosed and claimed. An access panel is also disclosed and claimed. The protective covering can be on the interior side or the exterior side of the building. An access panel can be located on the interior wall of the building near the opening or it can be located on the exterior wall of the building near the opening. The opening can be a window, bay, door or stall. The protective covering may be a windlocking curtain used in hurricanes. A guide having a retractable extension arm is mounted within the wall of the building. The retractable extension arm is pivotally attached to the access panel with a hinge. A first spring is operable between the guide and the retractable extension arm and a second spring is operable between the retractable extension arm and the access panel. A pulley and a pulley engaging device for operating the protective covering reside within the wall of the building.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2002
    Assignee: Wayne-Dalton Corp.
    Inventors: Willis J. Mullet, James F. Baudanza
  • Patent number: 6374567
    Abstract: A combination stop and seal member (10) for a door (12) operatively movable between an open position and a closed position in relation to a door frame (13) including, a base (60) for attaching the member to the door frame, a projecting arm (70) extending from the base toward the door in angular relation thereto, a stop block (73) at a distal end (72) of the projecting arm for engaging the door when the door is in the closed position, and a flexible member (75) extending from the projecting arm at a location adjacent to the stop block to sealingly engage the door when the door is in the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2002
    Assignee: Wayne-Dalton Corp.
    Inventor: Willis J. Mullet
  • Patent number: 6326754
    Abstract: A wireless operating system (10) utilizing a multi-functional wall station (12) for a motorized door/gate operator includes an operator (50) for controlling the movement of a door/gate (54) between various positions. The system has an operator with a receiver (56) and a wall station transmitter (12) for transmitting a signal (42) to the receiver. The signal initiates separate operator functions in addition to opening and closing of the door/gate. A remote transmitter (70) may send a remote signal (74) received by the receiver, wherein the receiver is capable of distinguishing between the wall station signal (42) and the remote signal (74). The wall station includes a transmitter programming button (24), wherein actuation of the transmitter programming button places the wall station transmitter in a learn mode, and wherein subsequent actuation of the remote transmitter positively identifies the remote transmitter for use with the wall station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2001
    Assignee: Wayne-Dalton Corp.
    Inventors: Willis J. Mullet, Yan Rodriguez
  • Patent number: 6325134
    Abstract: An operating system (10) for controllably moving a sectional door (D) between open and closed positions comprising a counterbalancing system (30) having a drive tube interconnected with the sectional door (D) and an operator motor (40) mounted adjacent to the drive tube (31), a drive train interconnecting the drive tube (31) and the operator motor (40) for selectively driving the drive tube (31) for moving the sectional door (D) between the open and closed positions, a coupler (50) in the drive train selectively retractable from a driving position and a remotely-actuated disconnect assembly (60) operatively attached to the coupler (50), wherein the disconnect assembly (60) retracts the coupler (50), whereby the sectional door (D) may be manually moved toward either of the open position and the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2001
    Assignee: Wayne-Dalton Corp.
    Inventor: Willis J. Mullet
  • Patent number: 6326751
    Abstract: An internal entrapment system for a garage door operator (30), comprising a motor (48) for transferring a garage door (12) between first and second positions; a pulse counter (62) for detecting a speed of the garage door (12) during transfer between first and second positions; a potentiometer (56) for determining a plurality of positional locations of the garage door (12) during transfer between first and second positions separate from said pulse counter (62); and a control circuit (50) for calculating a motor torque value from the speed for each of said plurality of positional locations to compare with a plurality of door profile data points, wherein said control circuit (50) takes corrective action if the difference between the motor torque value for each of said plurality of positional locations and said plurality of door profile data points exceeds a predetermined threshold, and wherein said control circuit (50) updates said plurality of door profile data points to the motor torque values for each respect
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2001
    Assignee: Wayne-Dalton Corp.
    Inventors: Willis J. Mullet, Yan Rodriguez, Donald B. Kyle
  • Publication number: 20010027848
    Abstract: A track system for use in a windlocking apparatus is disclosed and claimed. One embodiment includes a housing piece and an interfitting piece. The housing piece includes a channel and the interfitting piece includes a key which slidingly mates with the channel. The housing piece and the interfitting piece each have flanges having smooth contours thereon. Another embodiment employs a track having a first piece and a second piece with the first piece having at least one groove therein and the second piece having at least one protrusion thereon. The protrusion of the second piece interfits with groove of the first piece interlocking the first and second pieces together.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2001
    Publication date: October 11, 2001
    Inventors: Willis J. Mullet, Mark S. Hudoba
  • Patent number: 6263947
    Abstract: A cable control device (10, 110) in a sectional overhead door (11) having a motor-driven counterbalance system (30) including a spring-loaded drive shaft (31), cable drums (35) carried by the drive shaft, cables (C) attached to and interconnecting the cable drums and the door and forming and releasing cable wraps of the cable on the cable drums upon raising and lowering of the door, and shrouds (10, 110) associated with the cable drums engaging the cable wraps through substantially the circumference of the cable drums to maintain axial alignment of the cable wraps with the cable drums in the event of the development of slack in the cables.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2001
    Assignee: Wayne-Dalton Corp.
    Inventor: Willis J. Mullet
  • Patent number: 6253824
    Abstract: An operator (10) for moving in upward and downward directions a sectional door (D) having a counterbalancing system (30) including a drive tube (31) interconnected with the door including, a reversible motor (40), a drive shaft (50) selectively driven in two directions by the motor, a drive gear (61) freely rotatably mounted on the drive shaft, a driven gear (65) mounted on the drive tube and operatively engaging the drive gear, a disconnect assembly (70) having a spool (71) rotatable with the drive shaft and movable into and out of engagement with the drive gear for selectively connecting and disconnecting the motor and the drive tube, and an actuating mechanism (80) normally maintaining said spool in engagement with the drive gear and biasing the spool out of engagement with the drive gear when released to permit independent movement of the door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2001
    Assignee: Wayne-Dalton Corp.
    Inventors: Willis J. Mullet, Kelly R. Green, Harry E. Asbury
  • Patent number: 6164014
    Abstract: A cable control device (10) for a sectional overhead door (11) having a motor-driven counterbalance system (30) including, a spring-loaded drive shaft (31), cable drums (33) carried by the drive shaft, cables (C) attached to and interconnecting the cable drums and the door and forming and releasing cable wraps on the cable drums upon raising and lowering of the door, and retainers (60) associated with the cable drums engaging a portion of at least one cable wrap to maintain engagement of the cable wrap with the cable drums in the event of the development of slack in the cables.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2000
    Assignee: Wayne-Dalton Corp.
    Inventors: Allen C. McDowell, Willis J. Mullet
  • Patent number: 6161438
    Abstract: An internal entrapment system (10) for a door (12) movable by a repeatable force includes a force generating device (68) for transferring the door (12) between a first and a second position. A trolley arm (34) connected between the force generating device (68) and the door (12) is continually strained during movement of the door (12). A sensor (50) mounted on the trolley arm (34) generates a signal (54) representative of the strain applied to the trolley arm (34). A processor (72) receives the strain signal (54) for comparison to a predetermined threshold, when the strain signal (54) exceeds the predetermined threshold, the processor (72) at least stops the force generating device (68). A potentiometer (74) is coupled to the door (12) for determining a plurality of positional locations of the door (12) between the first and the second positions, wherein the processor (72) correlates the position of the door (12) with the strain signal (54) for use in comparison to the predetermined threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2000
    Assignee: Wayne-Dalton Corp.
    Inventors: Willis J. Mullet, Yan Rodriguez
  • Patent number: 6145570
    Abstract: A locking system (10, 110, 210) for a sectional overhead door (11) powered through a counterbalance system (30) including, a flexible member (C) interconnecting the counterbalance system and the door and providing tensioning during opening and closing of the door, a movable stop (50, 150, 250) selectively actuatable to a locked position precluding movement of the door, and a biasing member (65, 165, 255) urging the movable stop toward the locked position, whereby in the event of slack in the flexible member the biasing member displaces the movable stop to the locked position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2000
    Assignee: Wayne-Dalton Corp.
    Inventors: Willis J. Mullet, Harry E. Asbury
  • Patent number: 6112799
    Abstract: A wind-resistant sectional overhead door (21) selectively moveable between an open position and a closed position relative to a door opening defined by spaced vertical jambs (23, 24) and a horizontal header (25) extending therebetween including, a plurality of elongate horizontal panels (40-43) pivotally connected at the top and bottom edges (48, 49) of adjacent of the panels, roller tracks (31, 32) mounted on the vertical jambs to either side of the door, roller shafts (65) mounted at the ends of the panels, guide rollers (66) carried by the roller shafts and engaging the roller tracks, and restraining members (70, 170) for limiting axial movement of the roller shafts, whereby the roller shafts and the panels are tension-loaded when the door is in the closed position to prevent buckling of the panels under applied wind forces. The restraining members may be replaced by or supplemented with tension rod assemblies (225, 325).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Assignee: Wayne-Dalton Corp.
    Inventors: Willis J. Mullet, Allen C. McDowell, David C. Allis
  • Patent number: 6089304
    Abstract: An overhead door system including, a sectional door (D") having top, bottom, and intermediate panels (321, 324, 322) hinged for moving between a closed vertical position and an open horizontal position, top rollers (332) on the top panel, bottom rollers (341) on the bottom panel, intermediate rollers (337) positioned between the top rollers and the bottom rollers, inner vertical tracks (351) for engaging the intermediate rollers, transition tracks (353) connected to the inner vertical tracks and curving through an angle of approximately ninety degrees for directing the travel of the intermediate rollers, horizontal tracks (355) extending from the transition tracks for engaging the intermediate rollers to support the door in the open horizontal position, and outer vertical tracks (357) for guiding the bottom rollers in a substantially vertical path paralleling said inner vertical tracks and having upper extremities (357') that are inwardly offset in the direction of the transition tracks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2000
    Assignee: Wayne-Dalton Corp.
    Inventors: Willis J. Mullet, Derek S. Paquette
  • Patent number: 6041843
    Abstract: In general, A collapsible cascading overhead door assembly (10) for closing a vehicular access opening of a structure includes a flexible door panel member (12) made up of a plurality of rigid slat members (13) each having a pair of hinge tab members (25, 26). A pair of elongated track members (15) having a generally G-shaped cross-section are affixed to an opening jamb (11) of the building structure, the flexible door panel member (12) being slidably disposed in the track members (15). A pair of flag bracket members (17) are affixed to the elongated track members (15). A support enclosure (16) is mounted on the flag brackets (17) and is adapted to maintain the door panel (12) in the stored position. An elongated, polygonal-shaped drive wheel member (66) has a plurality of sides (76) of equal width approximating the width of the rigid slat members (13).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2000
    Assignee: Wayne-Dalton Corp.
    Inventor: Willis J. Mullet
  • Patent number: 6019269
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2000
    Assignee: Wayne-Dalton Corp.
    Inventors: Willis J. Mullet, Albert W. Mitchell, Thomas B. Bennett, III
  • Patent number: D413579
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1999
    Assignee: Wayne-Dalton Corp.
    Inventors: Willis J. Mullet, Derek S. Paquette
  • Patent number: D413867
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1999
    Assignee: Wayne-Dalton Corp.
    Inventors: Willis J. Mullet, Derek S. Paquette
  • Patent number: D421031
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2000
    Assignee: Wayne-Dalton Corp.
    Inventors: Willis J. Mullet, Derek S. Paquette