Counterbalance And Additional Operator Patents (Class 160/189)
  • Patent number: 11859423
    Abstract: An adjustable length counterbalance mechanism for lift doors, frequently used for cargo trailers and garages. The adjustable length torque shaft of the counterbalance mechanism is able to accommodate many different lift door widths and is simpler to install than a fixed length torque shaft. In embodiments, the adjustable torque shaft is comprised of two outer torque shafts, each with a torsion spring and cable drum and a middle torque shaft that can be assembled together. The middle torque shaft can be inserted into each of the outer torque shafts to a selected depth to determine the length of the adjustable torque shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Inventor: Douglas Wait
  • Patent number: 11105133
    Abstract: A high-speed sectional overhead door covers a door opening with panels stacked in a single plane and lifted from the bottom-most panel. As panels are lifted, each rolls in its own individual track. As the panels move into the head area, they run through curved tracks and are nested there. The stored panels stacked horizontally one atop another with the door open. This design utilizes a dedicated panel-track pairing as well as a unique hook/cam device which allows for the upper panel to be both locked in the closed position and pushed away for separation and storage in the open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: Clopay Building Products Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Raymond Sauve, Muhammad J. Akbar, Daniel V. Jones, Brian M. Magill, James O. Rogers, III
  • Patent number: 11105138
    Abstract: A door control system is provided. The control system includes a controller configured to control a door via a motor. The motor is powered by a battery and bypasses the controller via relays and/or switches when power to the controller is disconnected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Inventor: Gregory Ion
  • Patent number: 11002059
    Abstract: A merchandise container comprises a body having a longitudinal axis, which comprises a floor, a roof and a side wall, each comprising an exterior face and an interior face, and a plurality of bays in the side walls. A plurality of bay doors adapted to controllably closing the bays. A door opening system comprising a plurality of door axles each driving individually one of the plurality of bay doors between a closed position and an open position; an intermediate axle in driving arrangement with the plurality of door axles; and a motor connected in driving arrangement with the intermediate axle comprising a driving axle controls the position of the bay doors by driving the intermediate axle which in turn drives the plurality of door axles to move the plurality of bay doors between the closed position to the open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: REMORQUES CFT INC.
    Inventor: Francois Thouin
  • Patent number: 10829974
    Abstract: A roller shutter arrangement (1) includes a door leaf (2) including door leaf elements connected together to be angled and guided by guide rollers (23a, 23b) in lateral guides. The lateral guides each include an end portion accommodating the door leaf (2) in a closed position and a storage portion accommodating the door leaf (2) in an open position. The end portion and the storage portion are angled with respect to each other and are connected via a transition portion (42). The transition portion (42) includes guide paths on guide rollers on which predetermined guide rollers roll with a guide length between guide rollers corresponding substantially to a partition defined by a breadth of the door leaf element or to an integer multiple thereof. The so-called polygonal effect is avoided and higher movement speeds of the door leaf (2) are enabled while the service life is simultaneously increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: EFAFLEX IN{hacek over (Z)}ENIRING d.o.o. Ljubljana
    Inventors: Jurij Letonje, Andrej Mazej, Jurij {hacek over (Z)}umer
  • Patent number: 10780302
    Abstract: A fire containment system strung across the ground and methods of use thereof, that generally includes two or more vertical towers anchored in series in the ground, a lift system integral to each of said two or more vertical towers having a plurality of vertically slidable swivel joints capable of vertical travel there up one of the two or more vertical towers, one or more cables, each cable strung between one of the plurality of vertically slidable swivel joints on each of the two of the or more vertical towers, a fire proof curtain affixed to said one or more cables, a below ground storage to contain said fire proof curtain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Inventor: Brandon West
  • Patent number: 10718129
    Abstract: A housing for a digital assistant is disclosed. The housing includes; a body holding the digital assistant; attachments for an overhead mounting system. Within the housing there is at least one electrical input; and at least one electrical output; along with a digital current limiter. The digital assistant is capable of receiving and implementing instructions via voice commands or a personal control device. The digital current limiter receives instructions from the digital assistant and in response to those instructions, regulates the current to components in communication with the digital assistant. A method for using the housing and digital assistant to create a smart garage system by regulating access to connected components is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2020
    Assignee: Hall Labs LLC
    Inventors: David R. Hall, Jerome Miles, Christopher Jones, Casey Webb
  • Patent number: 10718149
    Abstract: The present disclosure illustrates a sectional door driving device including a power assembly, a chassis assembly and a driving assembly. The power assembly includes a motor, a gear set and a control unit, and the power assembly is fastened on a main chassis of the chassis assembly. The driving assembly includes two half-gears respectively in semicircular cylinder shape, and each of the two half-gears has a combination surface which is formed with an engagement assembly, and the two half-gears are engaged by the engagement assemblies thereof to form a circular gear to cover a shaft of a sectional door mechanism. The gear set includes an output gear configured to drive the circular gear and the shaft to rotate. The sectional door driving device can be separated from the shaft easily for repair, and the sectional door driving device can also be installed on the existing sectional door easily.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2020
    Assignee: GLADOOR TAIWAN LIMITED
    Inventor: Ya-Chen Liu
  • Patent number: 10557296
    Abstract: The invention relates to a weight compensation device for a drive of a lifting door, for the position-dependent compensation of the weight force of a door leaf of the lifting door, with a force transmission unit which can be coupled to the drive in order to carry out an opening movement which raises the door leaf and a closing movement which lowers the door leaf, wherein at least one compression spring is provided which is arranged in such a way that it supports the opening movement. The invention also relates to a lifting door, in particular an industrial lifting door, which has a door leaf, with a drive, such as a motor, and with a weight compensation device according to the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2020
    Inventor: Gabrijel Rejc
  • Patent number: 10458726
    Abstract: The invention concerns an attachment device (3) for a heat exchanger (2) comprising a core (23) for exchanging heat between a first fluid and a second fluid, said core (23) being provided with collectors (21) for the first fluid, said exchanger (2) comprising a cylinder (25), said cylinder (25) and one of said collectors (21) allowing the passage of said first fluid from one to the other, said attachment device (3) comprising a body, which is set up in order to close said cylinder (25), and an extension which allows the core (23) to be secured to a holder (4). The invention also concerns a cylinder (25) which comprises such an attachment device (3), a heat exchanger (2) which comprises such a cylinder (25) and a heat exchanging module which comprises such a heat exchanger (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: Valeo Systemes Thermiques
    Inventors: Dinh-Luyen Nguyen, Karim Arab, Nathalie Girard, Fernando Pereira, Daniel Pereira
  • Patent number: 10208523
    Abstract: A power tailgate mounting system for a vehicle includes a first gusset member and a second gusset member. The first gusset member is secured to an inward side of a roof rail of the vehicle at a rear end portion of the roof rail. The first gusset member has a first gusset tailgate motor mounting portion extending laterally inwardly from the roof rail for mounting an associated tailgate motor. The second gusset member is secured to the inward side of the roof rail at the rear end portion of the roof rail. The second gusset member has a second gusset tailgate mounting portion extending laterally inwardly from the roof rail for mounting the associated tailgate motor. The second gusset tailgate mounting portion overlaps the first gusset tailgate mounting portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Adam K. Swanson, Timothy J. Palesano, Ryan M. Stokes, Andrew W. Hegge
  • Patent number: 9945161
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a body structure having an opening, a liftgate panel movably mounted to the body adjacent the opening, and a decklid that is movably mounted to the liftgate. The vehicle includes a lock member that is movable to first, second, and third positions. The lock member locks the liftgate to the decklid when in the first position. The lock member locks the liftgate to the body structure in the second position. The lock member simultaneously locks both the liftgate and the decklid to the body structure when the lock member is in the third position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Donald P. Iacovoni, Paul L. Heirtzler, Jr., Kosta Papanikolaou
  • Patent number: 9825534
    Abstract: A power converter provides a dummy load to lower an output voltage under a light-load or no-load condition. The power converter has a primary winding and a secondary winding isolated from each other. The secondary winding can de-energize to provide the output voltage at an output node for powering a load. The winding voltage at across the secondary winding is sensed to provide a non-switching time, which is checked if it exceeds a predetermined reference time. The output voltage is compared with a predetermined voltage. A discharge current is provided as the dummy load to drain from the output node and to lower the output voltage if the on-switching time exceeds the predetermined reference time and the output voltage exceeds the predetermined voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: LEADTREND TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Chao-Chih Lin, Ming Chang Tsou, Meng Jen Tsai
  • Patent number: 9567115
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an improved door system for a satellite deployer for storing, transporting, and deploying space payloads, as well as the method of its use. The satellite deployer's door system as described herein allows for increased efficiency due to the configuration of the mechanical structures used in the satellite deployment process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Inventor: Victor Dube
  • Patent number: 9534434
    Abstract: A spring winding device, a counterbalancing force adjustment device for a counterbalancing mechanism, and a method of adjusting an amount of force stored in a spring of a counterbalancing mechanism are provided. The spring winding device includes a support bracket, a worm gear, and a drive gear. The worm gear is rotatably coupled to the support bracket and includes a mount portion for coupling a first end cone thereto. The drive gear is rotatably disposed adjacent the support bracket and is drivingly engaged with the worm gear. A rotation of the drive gear causes the worm gear to rotate within the support bracket. The spring winding device does not require pretensioning using winding rods, maintains rigidity and alignment when a counterbalancing force is applied, and decreases a cost and a complexity of the counterbalancing mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Arrow Tru-Line, Inc.
    Inventor: Gerald Schutt
  • Patent number: 9382738
    Abstract: A swing closure element (1), comprising: —a fixed structure (10) rigidly constrainable to an opening (11) of a door or window or the like, —a first movable wing (20) constrained to said fixed structure (10) by a first hinge constraint (21) so as to be pivotable about a first rotation axis (Z1), according to a predetermined opening rotation direction (W1), —a second movable wing (30) constrained to said first wing by said second hinge constraint (31) so as to be pivotable with respect to the first wing (20) about a second rotation axis (Z2), the first and the second wing (20, 30) being movable between a first closed configuration wherein they are coplanarly arranged to close the opening (11) and a second open configuration, —an articulated, quadrilateral mechanism (50, 50?) connected to the fixed structure (10) and to the second wing (30) comprising at least one stiffening member (61, 61?, 62, 62?) pivotably constrained to said first wing (20) and to a movable member (53, 53?) of said mechanism (50, 50?) conne
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: CELEGON S.R.L.
    Inventor: Massimo Bonetti
  • Patent number: 9303443
    Abstract: A folding façade or folding awning arrangement includes at least two façade or awning elements, wherein a first façade or awning element is fixed on a building so that it can pivot about an axis, and wherein a second façade or awning element is pivotally held about a second displaceable axis and can be displaced along guides by way of a drive member, and wherein further a first collapsing edge of the first façade or awning element is pivotally connected to a second collapsing edge of the second façade and awning element to form a collapsing joint and can be moved in a manner released from the guides, collapsing transversely to the façade. The arrangement further includes at least one collapsible/fold-out and/or locking arrangement. Safe operation is achieved in that at least one pivoting actuating element is provided in the form of a collapsing/fold-out, pulling/drawing, and/or locking arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: BELU AG
    Inventor: Bernhard Lucas
  • Patent number: 9284771
    Abstract: A trolley for supporting equipment on an overhead door using the existing track for the overhead door is described. The invention may be used to allow utility items such as lighting, electrical outlets, and safety devices to be mounted conveniently and efficiently.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Inventor: Victor J. Doherty
  • Patent number: 9127492
    Abstract: A cable lift mechanism for a multi panel, overhead garage door includes a drum having a spiral groove comprised of two adjacent sections that are generally coaxial with the longitudinal axis of the cable drum. The groove or grooves in a first section adjacent the attachment end of the cable to the drum have a lesser radius than the remaining grooves of the second section of the drum which have substantially equal radii of greater diameter than the first section radii. As a consequence, initial torque associated with lifting of a garage door is increased to lift a heavier upper or top panel or panels of a multi-panel garage door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: Raynor Mfg. Co.
    Inventors: Raymond J. Friesen, Surinder Sambhi
  • Patent number: 9068386
    Abstract: A stowable folding door device includes a slider to move the folded door in a depth direction of an article of furniture, a hook supported by the slider so as to rotate about a first rotation shaft and to engage with an engaging section provided on the article of furniture, and a lever supported by the hook to rotate about a second rotation shaft. Upon folding up the foldable door, the lever rotates in a first direction about the first rotation shaft together with the hook while contacting the rear surface of the foldable door, and the engagement between the hook and the engaging section is released. When the foldable door closes an opening of the article of furniture, the lever rotates relative to the hook in the direction opposite the first direction about the second rotation shaft while contacting the rear surface of the foldable door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: SUGATSUNE KOGYO CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Ishii, Shinichi Ajiki
  • Patent number: 8893765
    Abstract: A sectional garage door has a roller track and a plurality of sections pivotally coupled together for movement along the roller track to and between open and closed positions relative to a door opening. A first one of the sections is heavier than other sections. The sectional garage also includes a counterbalance mechanism coupled to the sections to assist an operator in moving the sections along the roller tracks to and between the open and closed positions. The sectional garage door also has a weight assist mechanism coupled to the door and engaged with at least one of the sections to assist at least one of the sections to assist in the movement of the first one of the sections during movement along at least a portion of the roller track due to the weight of the first section relative to the other sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Clopay Building Products Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan R. Leist, Jeffrey W. Stone
  • Patent number: 8776861
    Abstract: A roller blind including a roller of having a roller length and a roller outer diameter, a fabric attached to said roller for winding and unwinding from said roller. The fabric has a fabric length, a fabric weight, a fabric height, and fabric thickness. The blind includes a bottom bar having a bottom bar weight, and at least one spring operatively connected to the roller to drivingly rotate the roller in at least one direction of rotation. The spring is selected according to a Protocol such that it's length ensures that it drives the roller with a constant operating force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Hunter Douglas Industries BV
    Inventors: Jorg Bohlen, Lars Koop
  • Patent number: 8740196
    Abstract: A linkage comprises a first rounded end providing a complimentary profile configured to mate with an inner radius of a loop element in a first drawbar spring, and a second rounded end opposite the first rounded end. The second rounded end provides a complimentary profile configured to mate with an inner radius of a loop element in a second drawbar spring. The linkage is configured to be positioned between the loop element in the first drawbar spring and the loop element in the second drawbar spring such that the first rounded end is mated with the loop element in the first drawbar spring and the second rounded end is mated with the loop element in the second drawbar spring to mechanically couple the first drawbar spring in series with the second drawbar spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Inventor: Jay Rodger Elrod
  • Patent number: 8646510
    Abstract: Barrier systems and associated methods, including vapor and/or fire barrier systems, are disclosed herein. One aspect of the invention is directed toward a barrier system that includes a barrier coupled to a spool. The barrier is positioned to be wound onto and off of the spool as the barrier moves between a deployed position and a retracted position by a drive assembly. The system further includes a control system coupled to the drive assembly and configured to command operation of the drive assembly. The system still further includes a sensor operably coupled to the control system and positioned to sense barrier position as the barrier moves between the deployed and the retracted positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Inventors: James N. Cloninger, Kelsey S. Aldrich
  • Patent number: 8381442
    Abstract: A hand pulling drive mechanism includes a hand drive device and a shaft connected with the hand drive device. The mechanism further includes a gear pair, a rotation propelling device connected with the shaft, and an eccentric pulling device including a shaft pin placed on the shaft and a torsion jacket pivotally connected to the shaft and rotated relative to the shaft pin. The gear pair includes a drive gear sleeved on the shaft for switching, and a follower gear secured to a motor shaft. The rotation propelling device is connected with the drive gear. The torsion jacket and the drive gear pull the torsion jacket through eccentric rotation of the shaft pin when the shaft is rotated, so that the drive gear moves in an axial direction and the follower drive engages with and disengages from the drive gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Inventor: Wei Wan
  • Patent number: 8375635
    Abstract: An apparatus for opening and closing an overhead door, having a door assembly for mounting to the overhead door, and an operator for securely engaging the door assembly. The operator has a chassis, and a cable reel rotatably mounted to the chassis and coupled to a main cable. When the main cable is coupled to the door assembly, as the cable reel is rotated in a first direction, the door assembly is drawn towards the operator so as to close the door. The apparatus may include a latch assembly for securing the door assembly to the operator when the door is closed, and a latch release mechanism for selectively disengaging the latch assembly so as to disengage the door assembly from the operator. The overhead door may be biased so that when the latch assembly is disengaged, the overhead door automatically opens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Inventors: Richard Hellinga, Michael Johnson
  • Patent number: 8327583
    Abstract: A pulley assembly for an overhead counter weight door features a base plate and a support arrangement carried on and spaced from the base plate so that the base and support arrangements face toward one another. A shaft is carried on the base plate and the support arrangement to extend therebetween with a pulley supported on the shaft between the base plate and the support arrangement for rotation about an axis defined by the shaft. A plurality of wall sections extends between the base plate and the support arrangement to establish connection therebetween radially outward from the shaft beyond an outer periphery of the pulley on more than two sides thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Hanover Door Systems (1996) Inc.
    Inventors: Greg Reimer, Dennis Braun, Richard Klassen, Walter Toews
  • Publication number: 20120168098
    Abstract: An overhead sectional door includes a sectional door curtain (12) made up of a plurality of sectional panels (14) pivotably attached together, and guide wheels (16) which engage and travel within a pair of tracks (18) and (20) at each side of the door (12). The tracks (18,20) are spaced substantially outwardly from the side extremity of the door panels (14), and a torsion spring assembly (60) is mounted so as to be raised and lowered with operation of the door curtain and extends beyond the side extremities of the door panels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2010
    Publication date: July 5, 2012
    Inventor: Greg James
  • Patent number: 8162026
    Abstract: A spring assembly is provided for an upward acting door that travels on a travel path while opening. The assembly includes a shaft, a torsion spring and a second spring. The torsion spring is connected to the shaft and provides a lifting force for the door throughout the travel path. The second spring is connected to the shaft and provides a lifting force for the door during only a portion of the travel path. In another aspect, a spring assembly is provided for an upward acting door that travels on a travel path while closing. The torsion spring is connected to the shaft and provides a weight supporting force for the door throughout the travel path. The second spring is connected to the shaft and provides a weight supporting force for the door during only a portion of the travel path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Industrial Spring Company
    Inventor: Karl Harvey Lundahl
  • Patent number: 7617860
    Abstract: An elevator door system includes a motor rotating a vertical reel, and an elevator door. The door can be formed of a plurality of vertically aligned rigid panels or can be a sheet of material which is rigid or reinforced in the vertical direction or can have any other appropriate form making it suitable for being wound upon and unwound from the reel. The door is mounted to a flexible force transmission member provided along an entire width of the door and interconnected to the reel. Accordingly, the forces generated by the motor for opening and closing the door are substantially transmitted through the transmission member rather than being imparted onto the door itself. Hence, in use the strain on the door is greatly reduced and therefore the quantity of material used for the door and consequently its cost and mass can be reduced without deteriorating performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2009
    Assignee: Inventio AG
    Inventor: Peter A. Spiess
  • Patent number: 7076917
    Abstract: A driving system for a garage door includes a track having an end fixed on an inside of a wall and has an open side that faces upward. A driving assembly is movably received in the track and driven by a motor. The driving assembly includes a connection member to which two ends of a power transferring member are connected. A U-shaped member is movably engaged with the track from an underside of the track and two sides of the U-shaped member are connected to the driving assembly. A link is pivotably connected between the U-shaped member and the garage door. The power transferring member reeves a gear which is rotatably connected to the track and the motor has a driving shaft which is conveniently extended through an opening of the track and engaged with an engaging hole of the gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2006
    Assignee: Rhine Electronic Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chung-Min Chang
  • Patent number: 6981538
    Abstract: A positional control device is provided to prevent accidental drifting of an overhead sectional door upward or downward from a fully opened, partly opened or fully closed position. The device allows the door to be manually moved to a different elevation without requiring a separate operation to release the door from its original position. This is achieved by a mechanism which couples the upward and downward motion of the door to the rotation of a sprocket wheel engaged with a spring loaded ratchet arm with a bifurcated head specially shaped for ratcheting engagement with the teeth of the sprocket wheel. Suitable adjustment of the spring allows the ratchet mechanism to hold the door in its given position by exerting a force which can readily be overcome by manual raising or lowering the door to a different position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2006
    Inventor: William English
  • Patent number: 6883579
    Abstract: A drive system is provided for a moveable barrier, such as a garage door, that limits unauthorized shifting thereof. The drive system includes a flexible actuator for raising and lowering the door. The flexible actuator is tensioned with a biasing mechanism to minimize actuator throw, and a stop assembly of the biasing mechanism limits unauthorized travel of the garage door from the closed position by a predetermined amount that is sufficiently small so as to keep intruders out of the garage. The flexible actuator may for example, be a cable, a belt or a chain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2005
    Assignee: The Chamberlain Group, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert J. Olmsted
  • Patent number: 6742564
    Abstract: Hardware that improves safety and minimizes the risk involved in installing, maintaining, and operating sectional doors that use springs to facilitate door movement. A lock-on side bearing bracket bears up a spring on a garage door. This side-bearing bracket includes a hook and a perpendicular tab to prevent the spring from dangerously releasing its energy when parts supporting the spring are removed or fail. A lock-on bottom roller bracket having a bottom bearing plate and a safety hook similarly prevents a potential release of energy when the garage door lift cable is tensed. A curled portion at the bottom of the lift cable prevents the cable from coming off the drum. A safety latch with a latch bar and a latch cover acts as a lock for the garage door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2004
    Assignee: Martin Door Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventor: David O. Martin
  • Patent number: 6739372
    Abstract: A system for raising and lowering a sectional overhead door between an open position and a closed position including, a counterbalance system adapted to be connected to the door, an operator motor assembly mounted proximate to the sectional overhead door in the closed position of the sectional overhead door, at least a portion of the operator motor assembly movable between a door operating position and a door locking position, and a locking assembly (370) having an engaged position to hold the motor assembly in the operating position and a disengaged position to release the motor assembly allowing it to move to the door locking position. The system may be provided with a remote light assembly having a switchable light source in sensing communication with the operator motor such that operation of the motor activates the light source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2004
    Assignee: Wayne-Dalton Corp.
    Inventors: Willis J. Mullet, Donald Bruce Kyle
  • Patent number: 6719033
    Abstract: The present invention discloses the novel placement of two pairs of vertical track disposed adjacent to each other together with a pair of radiused horizontal tracks being attached to the outer pair of vertical tracks allowing the use of a flexible lift and reverse cable system to open, close and reverse multi-paneled garage doors. Use of an inner and outer pair of vertical tracks disposed adjacent to each other allows the lowermost rollers to be guided on the inner vertical tracks and the remaining rollers to be guided on the outer vertical tracks and, ultimately, the horizontal tracks as the garage door opens. This configuration allows the lift cable a clear pathway to travel from the drum down the center of the inner vertical tracks to the connection with the shaft journal mounted near the bottom of the garage door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Inventor: Karl Stoltenberg
  • Publication number: 20040060669
    Abstract: A drive system is provided for a moveable barrier, such as a garage door, that limits unauthorized shifting thereof. The drive system includes a flexible actuator for raising and lowering the door. The flexible actuator is tensioned with a biasing mechanism to minimize actuator throw, and a stop assembly of the biasing mechanism limits unauthorized travel of the garage door from the closed position by a predetermined amount that is sufficiently small so as to keep intruders out of the garage. The flexible actuator may for example, be a cable, a belt or a chain.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2003
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Applicant: The Chamberlain Group, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert J. Olmsted
  • Patent number: 6674255
    Abstract: An improved window covering and lighting system for a window in a room includes a plurality of cornices, each cornice including a window covering supported by the cornice and movable between an open position and a closed position, an actuator supported by the cornice for moving the window covering between the open position and the closed position, a lighting system mounted to the cornice, and a programmable logic unit for operating at least one of the actuator and the lighting system independently from one another upon demand. The system also includes a remote control unit providing a signal selectively to the programmable logic unit to operate at least one of the plurality of cornices. Each of the plurality of cornices further includes a light sensor for sensing ambient light conditions in the room, and a motion detector for detecting occupance of the room. The programmable logic control unit is responsive to the sensed ambient light conditions and the detected occupance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Assignee: Decotex 2000 Corporation
    Inventors: John T. Schnebly, Kevin C. Martin, Randy Koleda, Leo Litto
  • Publication number: 20030209333
    Abstract: A drive system is provided for a moveable barrier, such as a garage door, that limits unauthorized shifting thereof. The drive system includes a cable actuator for lowering the door. The cable actuator is tensioned with a biasing mechanism to minimize cable throw, and a stop assembly of the biasing mechanism limits travel of the garage door from the closed position by a predetermined amount that is sufficiently small so as to keep intruders out of the garage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2002
    Publication date: November 13, 2003
    Applicant: The Chamberlain Group, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert J. Olmsted
  • Publication number: 20030178157
    Abstract: The present invention is a door drop stop system designed to require a minimal amount of time and modification to install in an existing door system. It is effective with all overhead doors which employ a central axle; such overhead doors are in widespread use in residential, commercial, and vehicular applications. In addition, other configurations of the door drop stop system are effective with slab doors, bifold doors, and rollup doors. The present invention will reduce or eliminate property damage and personal injury resulting from a failure of a component of the door or its counterbalance system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2002
    Publication date: September 25, 2003
    Inventor: Kenneth David
  • Patent number: 6588156
    Abstract: A method of aligning a door operating system for operating an upwardly acting door including an operator that directly interrelates with a counterbalance assembly in the door operating system to move the door, where the operator is at least partially supported on the counterbalance assembly, loosely attaching the operator to a header adjacent the door, and, moving the door from a closed position to an open position and returning the door to the closed position to achieve alignment. Once aligned, the operator is securely attached to the header to maintain the system's alignment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2003
    Assignee: Wayne-Dalton Corp.
    Inventor: Willis J. Mullet
  • Patent number: 6554047
    Abstract: Guide track assemblies for upward acting doors include substantially linear vertical and horizontal track sections and curvilinear transition sections formed as portions of each of the vertical and horizontal linear sections. The track assemblies are supported, respectively, by mounting brackets which also support a counterbalance mechanism for the door. The curvilinear transition track sections are formed integral with the vertical and horizontal track sections and may have a constant or elliptical radius of curvature, the latter to provide clearance for the guide track assemblies in low headroom installations. The mounting brackets are formed of stamped metal plates which are folded to provide a first flange for attaching the mounting bracket to a structural wall, a support part including a flag portion for connection to the guide track sections and a second flange for connection to a door counterbalance mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: Overhead Door Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph J. Mondragon, Richard K. Hoofard, Robert K. Wright, James W. Compton, LeRoy G. Krupke, Robert S. Cogger
  • Publication number: 20030075288
    Abstract: A method of aligning a door operating system for operating an upwardly acting door including an operator that directly interrelates with a counterbalance assembly in the door operating system to move the door, where the operator is at least partially supported on the counterbalance assembly, loosely attaching the operator to a header adjacent the door, and, moving the door from a closed position to an open position and returning the door to the closed position to achieve alignment. Once aligned, the operator is securely attached to the header to maintain the system's alignment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2001
    Publication date: April 24, 2003
    Applicant: Wayne-Dalton Corp.
    Inventor: Willis J. Mullet
  • Patent number: 6527035
    Abstract: Guide track assemblies for upward acting doors include identical vertical and horizontal linear track sections and a curvilinear transition track section. The linear track sections include spaced-apart elongated slots formed at acute angles with respect to the longitudinal extent of the track sections for cooperation with retainer members mounted on angle-shaped jamb brackets. A header bracket also includes one or more retainer members thereon for disposition in similar elongated slots formed in the curvilinear track section. The linear track sections fit in telescoping relationship within enlarged end portions of the curvilinear track section. The configurations of the header brackets, jamb brackets and track sections facilitate quick assembly and easy positional adjustment of the track sections with respect to a door opening covered by a door guided by the track assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2003
    Assignee: Overhead Door Corporation
    Inventors: Richard K. Hoofard, Celestino Duran, David M. Wells
  • 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: 6401793
    Abstract: Hardware designed to improve safety and minimize the risk involved in installing, maintaining, and operating sectional doors that use spring mechanisms to facilitate door movement. A lock-on side bearing bracket bears up a spring mechanism on a garage door. This side bearing bracket includes a hook and a perpendicular tab to prevent the spring mechanism from dangerously releasing its energy when parts supporting the spring mechanism are removed or fail. A lock-on bottom roller bracket having a bottom bearing plate and a safety hook similarly prevents a potential, dangerous release of energy when the garage door lift cable is in tension. A safety latch with a latch bar and a latch cover acts as a lock for the garage door. The use of multiple safety features makes the garage door systems of the present invention particularly safe to operate and maintain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2002
    Assignee: Martin Door Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventor: David O. Martin
  • 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: 6311757
    Abstract: The invention relates to a door or gate closing mechanism having essentially rectangular closing elements disposed horizontally and in parallel to one another which are movable in manner overlapping one another. The closing elements are driven in such a way that the second closing element is travelled at double the speed of the first and the third at three times the speed of the first and the last at a speed corresponding to the speed of the first closing element multiplied by the number of closing elements. Thus, only the bottom-most closing element is travelled over the full height at maximum drive speed during the opening or closing of the door while the remaining closing elements have to be travelled at a correspondingly lower speed over correspondingly shorter distances. In this way, overall a favourable energy balance is produced during the opening and closing of the door closing apparatus in accordance with the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2001
    Assignee: Schieffer Tor-und Schutzsysteme GmbH
    Inventors: Wolfgang Schuette, Milan Puncoh
  • Patent number: 6230785
    Abstract: An electrically-driven closure apparatus for building includes a shutter curtain, a driving device for driving the shutter curtain to open and close an opening, a load detecting spring disposed between the driving device and a fixed member or the frame, and sensors for detecting the rotation of the driving device. The driving device is supported rotatably around the axis of the extending shaft in accordance with load variation. The load detecting spring is slidably fixed by a spring fixing member. Thus, the spring fixing member can be used also as an adjustment member for adjusting the spring constant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2001
    Assignee: Sanwa Shutter Corporation
    Inventors: Noriaki Tokuyama, Yoshihiro Otsuka
  • Patent number: 6179036
    Abstract: An automatic overhead door opening system for a transport container whereby to operate the displacement of a panel door from a closed position to an open position. The system is housed in a restrained size housing which incorporates a motorized drive for driving an endless chain associated with an elongated central guide track on which the door is guidingly attached. The motorized drive is comprised of two small d.c. motors each having a drive gear drivingly coupled to a common driven gear of a gear drive which includes a worm gear in meshing engagement with a driven sprocket connected to a drive sprocket to displace the endless chain. The housing is of reduced thickness and access to the interior of the housing is provided through a non-obstructed removable bottom wall plate and accordingly it is not necessary to disconnect the endless chain and drive sprocket to have access to the components of the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2001
    Inventor: R{acute over (e)}my Harvey