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 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.

Abstract: An upwardly retracting vehicle door is disclosed, such as for use on the rear of a mini-van. The door includes a lower primary door panel and an upper secondary door panel, such as a glass window, that is retractable into the primary door panel. The primary door panel includes rollers on both side edges for slidably mounting the primary door panel on channels located on the vehicle body. When the primary door panel is opened, the window retracts into the primary door panel while the primary door panel travels upward toward the window and along an arcuate path preferably into a pocket within the vehicle roof. In a first embodiment of the invention, a single weather seal is used for both the primary door panel and window on each side with the primary door panel sliding over the seal when opening and closing. In a second embodiment, separate seals for the primary door panel and window are used on each side.

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

Abstract: A tensioning device is connected to a flexible drive member by a right-hand threaded member on the drive member, which projects through an opening in the wall of a trolley. The threaded member is threaded onto a tensioning nut which is biased by a spring which mounts the nut in the base of the tensioning device. A retainer nut having left-hand threads is in frictional engagement with an enlarged portion of the tensioning nut, such that turning of the retention nut tightens the tensioning device onto the threaded member until the frictional force of the engagement between the enlarged portion of the tensioning nut and retainer nut is reduced to a predetermined amount.

Abstract: A jack shaft garage door operator is used for positively opening and closing a garage door and includes a jack shaft garage door operator drive having an electric motor. The electric motor is connected to a jack shaft garage door operator transmission. The transmission includes an opening flexible link storage unit or cable drum having an opening flexible link cable drive wrapped around it. Also connected to the jack shaft is a second cable drum having a closing flexible link or closing cable wound in the opposite direction from the opening cable. A compressional force transmitting member comprising a quick-turn bracket couples the closing cable to the garage door and is itself connected to an upper portion of the garage door to transmit a positive closing force to the garage door throughout its entire travel as the closing cable is drawn in and the opening cable is payed out under the operation of the electric motor.

Abstract: A jack shaft garage door operator for opening and closing a movable garage door has a drive containing an electric motor. A rotatable jack shaft is connected to the drive unit to be driven thereby. A pull-up cable drum is connected to and driven by the jack shaft. A pull-up cable extends from the drum about which it is wound and connects to a bottom part of the garage door to raise the door. A pivoting arm is mounted near the jack shaft and provides tension to the cable. A shaft lock hub mounted on the jack shaft is engaged and locked by the arm if the tension in the cable drops. A stop is mounted on the garage door for engagement by the movable arm in the event that the door is opened without the cable being drawn in the cable drum.

Abstract: A power drive control device of an automatic door, including a gear box having a shell; and a motor drive, the motor drive having a front cover integrally made with the shell of the gear box together, and a back cover covered on the front cover to hold a motor shaft, a stator coil around the motor shaft, a light chopper, and a photoelectric pick-up device, the front cover having a receiving chamber, two recessed holes and one screw hole formed in the receiving chamber and adapted for securing the photoelectric pick-up device in place, the light chopper being mounted around a bearing around the motor shaft to act with the photoelectric pick-up device, enabling the photoelectric pick-up device to monitor the operation of the motor shaft.

Abstract: A garage door operator is disclosed to have a front coupling for a threaded screw of the operator and the rotor of the motor. The coupling includes a first coupling device that is a unitary coupling member with opposing recesses for receiving each of the rotor shaft and an end portion of the screw. The unitary coupling member thereby connects the screw to the motor for torque transmission from the motor. The second coupling device includes a thrust containment device that is supported on the screw, and an intermediate assembly disposed between the thrust containment device and an end portion of the guide rail of the door operator. A retainer component of the intermediate assembly restricts expansion of the thrust containment device.

Abstract: An electromagnetic actuator for door units and the like, particularly for up-and-over doors, which includes a tubular guide having at least two side-by-side rectilinear portions, a flexible rack housed partly within one rectilinear portion of the guide and partly within the other, such that it can undergo axial sliding, a geared motor unit provided with a gearwheel engaging the flexible rack via an aperture, provided in at least one of the two rectilinear portions of the tubular guide, one hanger fixed to the flexible rack, and members for mechanically connecting the hanger appendix to the door unit or the like to be moved.

Abstract: A door operator for garage doors is provided which includes a motor, a multiple segmented drive screw and a traveler coupled to and reciprocating along the multiple segmented drive screw. The drive screw segments have non-circular ends which are slidably coupled to each other through a complementary sleeve. Springs are used to bias the screw segments toward one another. The traveler includes a lubricating pad for lubricating the drive screw as it passes along.

Abstract: A power operated garage door of the type having a single section movable from a vertical closed position to a horizontal open position at the ceiling of the garage by cables which pull the door open and closed and are secured to the door by extensions of the journal bearings for pivotally supporting the lower edge of the door.

Abstract: A garage door operator is disclosed to have a front coupling for a threaded screw of the operator and the rotor of the motor. The coupling includes a first coupling device that is a unitary coupling member with opposing recesses for receiving each of the rotor shaft and an end portion of the screw. The unitary coupling member thereby connects the screw to the motor for torque transmission from the motor. The second coupling device includes a thrust containment device that is supported on the screw, and an intermediate assembly disposed between the thrust containment device and an end portion of the guide rail of the door operator. A retainer component of the intermediate assembly restricts expansion of the thrust containment device.

Abstract: A garage door operator which senses obstructions and takes corrective action before entrapment can occur. Yieldable gears are utilized as a failsafe mechanism such that when the applied torque exceeds certain limit, the gears disengage so that the garage door can be manually moved. The yieldable gears may also be disengaged by remote control or by hand. Solid state circuitry is provided to achieve soft starts and stops of the electric motor. Test circuitry is provided that tests the operational readiness of the electrical components by simulating an abnormal torque condition. During operation of the electric motor, the torque load is electronically calculated and if an abnormal torque load is encountered, the electric motor reverses direction.

Abstract: A reversing mechanism for an overhead door opener is described. The reversing mechanism includes a channel-form trolley track. A centrally positioned longitudinal slot extends for the length of a bottom of the trolley track. Side openings are provided at a first end and the second end of the trolley track. A trolley plate is positioned in the trolley track with a control arm edge extending through the slot. A chain/cable return guide having an axial chain/cable receiving passage is secured to one of the opposed faces of the trolley plate. Channel engaging guide blocks project from opposed faces of the trolley plate to engage a top and the bottom of the trolley track thereby preventing the trolley plate from being withdrawn through the slot. A chain/cable is extended through the axial chain/cable receiving passage of the chain/cable return guide, looped into the trolley track from the first end and the second end and secured to the trolley plate.

Abstract: A door opener provides for remotely opening and closing both a multi-panel closure and an overhead door used on the same doorway. The apparatus is expected to be most widely used with garage doors that have external screened closures installed outside them. An auxiliary opener, which can be configured to operate with either a chain-type overhead door opener or a screw-type opener, takes its power from a primary door opener and operates the screen closure in synchronism with the overhead door. The opening system can be used with a single doorway, or with a set of multiple doorways that share a common screen closure. The various versions of the apparatus are configured to continue to allow manual operation of slidable screen panels, and to permit the screen closure to be either open or closed when the main overhead garage door is open.

Abstract: This invention provides an existing garage door locking system with a motorized unlocking system that will unlock the garage door prior to motorized opening, but maintain garage accessability and security with the existing garage door locking system if a power or motorized garage door system failure occurs.

Abstract: A garage door includes a door connector assembly in operative communication with a garage door carriage track, wherein the connector assembly mounts a plurality of cables, wherein each cable is mounted along the garage door and secured to a respective latch assembly, whereupon lifting of the door removes latch bolts from an underlying garage floor, whereupon closure of the door directs the latch bolts into the garage floor, and the door connector assembly includes biasing spring structure to bias the door into communication with the garage floor to maintain the latch bolt positioning within the floor.

Abstract: A door drive of a up and over door, sectional side or sectional ceiling door or sliding door, especially of a garage door, comprises at least one cylindrical guide tube supported against a ceiling or side wall, has a slide carriage arranged for movement along the guide tube, an endless traction element and a drive for opening and closing the door. The carriage is connectable with the door panel via a connecting rod. The ends of the traction element are secured together by means of a turnbuckle. For better support of the guide tube and for sampler connection or coupling of the traction element with the slide carriage, a number of mounting brackets are secured to the upper side of each guide tube for receiving support struts for mounting in the guide tube to the garage ceiling or wall. The slide carriage slides with a tubular portion along the guide tube. It has a continuous longitudinal slit on its upper side so that it can pass the brackets.

Abstract: A power operated door which fits into a wall opening with an outer surface flush with the outer wall surface and displaceable upwardly to a horizontal open position by tilting the top of the door inwardly and then sliding it in vertical and horizontal tracks to the open position. A first drive mechanism on the door tilts it about a lower bearing and a second drive mechanism drives the door upwardly and downwardly by means of flexible connectors which pull upwardly and downwardly on the bottom of the door.

Abstract: An adjustable limit switch mechanism for controlling the operation of an electric motor of a garage door opener over a selected range of movement including a motor driven threaded shaft supporting at least one switch actuator which is adjustably positionable and restrained from rotary movement while being axially translated by rotation of the shaft. A limit switch is mounted adjacent the threaded shaft so as to be actuated as the switch actuator is translated axially on the shaft.

Abstract: A snubber for tension members such as drive chains and drive belts includes a spindle having an upstanding wall at one end and a recess at the opposite end. A compressed spring is carried on the spindle and is retained thereon in its compressed state by a split ring received in the recess. The snubber can be used with tension members associated with garage door openers, for example.

Abstract: A garage door operator has a light which is turned on for a preset period by the controller each time the operator motor is operated. A pedestrian door is equipped with a magnetic switch which signals the controller when the door is opened, causing the light to be turned on for the preset period. A switch console has a vacation switch, a work light switch and a push button which, with the magnetic switch, send signals to the controller. Voltage level encoding and decoding is used to minimize the number of connecting wires between the console and the controller. The controller comprises a microprocessor subject to the switch inputs and programmed to produce output signals for operator motor control and light control.

Abstract: A driving apparatus for an object which can be moved to and fro such as a te wing, comprising a guide block movable along a guide rail (1), said guide block being coupled to the object and to a driving member (2,2') movable by a motor and, with the aim of easy assemblage from only a small number of easily manufacturable components, consisting of a guide block component (3), having slidably supported thereon an actuating member (7), and of a manually actuated coupling member (5) spring-loaded towards the coupled position with the driving member, the actuating member (7) being in operative connection with the coupling member (5) through a bolt (8) stationary with said one member (7) and engaging at a sliding edge construction (9) formed in said other member (5) so that, when the actuating member (7) is displaced, the coupling member is brought against the direction of force of the spring acting thereon from the coupled position in the uncoupled position and automatically held in an end portion of the sliding ed

Abstract: A resettable fail-safe fire door release mechanism which allows normal powered operation of a fire door is disclosed. A solenoid having a first open state in the absence of an applied electric current and a second closed state in the presence of an applied electric current is incorporated into the motor-operator unit of an overhead door. Brake actuator utilizes the spring force of a normally disengaged brake to keep the brake actuator in a first position. The plunger of the solenoid acts through the brake actuator in opposition to the spring so that energizing the solenoid overcomes the force of the spring, moving the brake actuator, and engaging the brake; deenergizing the solenoid causes the spring to again disengage the brake. A normally closed switch having a mechanical actuator is wired in series with the solenoid. The melting of a fusible link releases a spring loaded plunger which depresses the actuator opening the switch.

Abstract: A door operator for a reversibly operable door includes a frame and a carriage movably mounted on the frame and attached to a door for moving the door between open and closed positions. A drive member, specifically a roller chain, extends along the frame and moves the carriage. A drive train is provided within a housing and is connected for moving the drive member, and a control circuit is provided for controlling the drive train to open and close the door. A pair of limit switches is mounted within the housing and connected to the control circuit for stopping the drive train when the door has reached a completed position. A pair of limit cams are adjustably mounted on a limit wheel within the housing and separate from the carriage for engaging the limit switches. The limit wheel, which is separate from the drive member, is connected to the drive train to rotate when the drive train moves the carriage.

Abstract: A canopy garage door opener including a mechanism for interconnecting a horizontal, rectilinear reciprocating carriage drive means to a canopy door having a first axis fixed to the door and movable vertically in a guide means and a pair of crank arms pivoted at the top of a door opening and to a horizontal axis fixed with respect to the door. The mechanism includes a lever pivoted to the carriage forming part of a quadrangular link assembly pivoted to the door at one apex and connected by another link to the door from an adjacent apex. Guard means including fixed and movable plates are disposed on both sides of the mechanism to shield it, the movable plates being pivotally connected to the mechanism and being rotated by a cam and follower connection to the fixed plates.

Abstract: A control panel includes a first switch to effect selective actuation of a garage door opener motor, with a second on/off switch arranged to effect selective locking engagement and disengagement of the motor relative to the first switch. An indicator light is arranged to indicate separation of a garage door from a garage door framework. An abutment switch is arranged also for engagement with a vehicular windshield for actuation of the garage door motor.

Abstract: A door operator for a reversibly operable door, such as a garage door includes a frame, a motor on the frame, a flexible drive member connected to the motor, and a carriage is mounted for movement along the frame. The carriage moves generally parallel to a portion of the frame and is attached to the door to open and close the door by movement of the carriage along the frame. The carriage can be selectively engaged and disengaged from the flexible drive member using an actuating member extending from the carriage. The carriage and the flexible drive member are engaged and disengaged upon successive motions of the actuating member in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of travel of the carriage.

Abstract: A side mount garage door operator capable of being positioned on either the ceiling or end wall of a garage at either side of the garage door on a frame unit, the operator providing a clutch for disengaging the drive motor from the garage door in the absence of electric power and having a manual graspable handle operated by a solenoid when power is present and operable manually in the absence of power. Novel limit means having limits which is on the end of an axially movable bar which is moved by a follower riding in a spiral groove in the base of a disk such as a gear connected to the drive shaft.

Abstract: A door operator for a reversibly operable door, such as a garage door, includes a frame and a carriage movably mounted on the frame and attached to a door for moving the door between open and closed positions. A flexible drive member, such as an endless chain, extends on the frame and is capable of moving the carriage. A drive train is on the frame connected for moving the flexible drive member. A motor housing is mounted on the frame within the motor housing and connected to the drive train. The motor has a shaft extending from the motor housing and engaging the drive train. A bearing assembly that includes metal thrust bearings is on the shaft adjacent to the motor. The metal thrust bearing assembly increases the performance of the electric motor, and thus provides a more powerful motor without changing to a larger motor or otherwise modifying the motor design. The motor is mounted on the frame so as to allow the shaft freely to move axially relative to the motor to permit the shaft to self-align.

Abstract: A cylindrical vessel is closed at its end by a cover. To facilitate opening, the cover is tiltably mounted at its sides on supporting blocks. By means of spindles, the two supporting blocks can be raised and lowered. At least one swivel arm is tiltably articulated to the vessel closure and tiltably as well as slideably articulated to the vessel, in such a manner that upon raising of the cover, the latter is at the same time tilted back away from the exposed vessel opening to improve access to the interior of the vessel.

Abstract: A vehicle operated remote control access system for obtaining access to a controlled environment using the headlight system of a vehicle having a high beam operation and a low beam operation. The remote control access system comprises a switching sensor circuit for detecting a sequence of switching from a low beam to a high beam operation or from a high beam to a low beam operation of the vehicle. Two or more of these switching sequences may be employed in the present invention. A timing means is provided with the circuit in order to determine if a switching sequence from a low beam to a high beam operation and then from a high beam operation back to a low beam operation, and possible with a second sequence of back to high beam and then low beam operation, occurred within a predetermined time interval. If the one or more required switching sequence did occur in this time interval, then the remote control system is energized to open a gate or a door.

Abstract: A screw and guide rail coupling assembly is for a garage door operator. The garage door operator has a motor-driven rotatable screw at least partially within a nonrotatable guide rail and a slide guided by the guide rail and movable longitudinally therealong by engagement with the screw and connectable to open and close the garage door. The screw is in at least first and second screw parts, and a screw coupling is adapted to interconnect adjacent ends of the first and second screw parts. The guide rail is in at least first and second guide parts, and a guide coupling adapted to interconnect adjacent ends of the first and second guide parts. The screw coupling is longitudinally spaced or offset from the guide coupling wherein the screw coupling is completely contained and supported within one of said first and second guide parts. The offset provides a significant increase in the maximum torque of the screw and guide rail coupling assembly.

Abstract: A hydraulically actuated door for a large opening of a building comprises a door formed in two parts divided by a horizontal hinge line so that a lower part can fold up under the upper part in an open position of the door. The upper part carries two flanges one at each side which project outwardly from the front face of the door. A ram extends from the base of a door post upwardly to the flange so that an upward force from the ram pivots the door about a horizontal hinge line at the top of the door to an open position in which the door extends outwardly from the horizontal hinge line. A level mechanism including a push rod pushes the lower portion of the door in a folding action around the center hinge line of the door up under the upper portion of the door into the folded position.

Abstract: This is an automatic locking and unlocking mechanism for use with an automatic garage door opening system. A spring-biased locking bar is attached to the garage door for vertical sliding motion. There is a pivot plate mounted to the top of the garage door including a pair of vertical members with a pivot pin disposed between them. A lock-lifting arm is disposed between the vertical members with the pivot pin through a first hole at one end. A connecting cable is connected between a second hole at the other end of the lock-lifting arm and the locking bar. A slider member is disposed between the vertical members and has the operating arm of the automatic garage door opener connected thereto for sliding the slider member. The slider member includes a lifting slot operably connected to the lock-lifting arm for lifting the lock-lifting arm when the slider member is slid to an open and unlocked position and for lowering the lock-lifting arm when the slider member is slid to a closed and locked position.

Abstract: In conjunction with a conventional power operated overhead door, such as a garage door, which has wire cables attached to the door for assisting in raising (opening) and lowering (closing) the door, a cam plate or dog having a toothed edge can be pivotably moved to instantaneously clamp or bind against the wire cable to stop its downward movement in the event any obstacle, such as a small child, is detected in the path of the door while it is being closed. The cam plate is biased to permit the wire cable to move in a direction to open the door.

Abstract: A door operator system includes a rodless fluid cylinder that has a cylinder body and a rodless piston adapted for reciprocation in the cylinder body. A carriage which is adapted for reciprocation externally along the length of the cylinder body is secured to the piston. An arm member connects the cylinder carriage to an associated sliding door. A control circuit is provided for controlling the operation of the fluid cylinder and hence the position of the associated sliding door.

Abstract: One or more spring lock devices are included at the inner sides of a conventional garage door positioned to engage with the side door frame. The spring locks are actuated to the open position by operative connection, usually through tension lines to a garage door drive mechanism, which is connected to the garage door through a lost motion mechanism so that initial movement of the drive mechanism moves the spring lock devices and opens them before the garage door mechanism moves the garage door. For closing, the spring lock devices can be of the wedge striker type which will close and lock with the closing motion of the garage door or of a straight pin type, in which case the door is adjusted so that its balance mechanisms always biases the door toward the closed position when the door is near its closed position.

Abstract: Counterbalancing mechanism for a garage door or other device in which a torsion spring end member is fastened to a second member to which it is connected during normal operation of the counterbalance by cooperating interfitting elements on the members which allow longitudinal movement of the end of the spring during a spring adjusting operation. The counterbalance hardware includes a self-locking winding mechanism for winding or unwinding one or more torsion springs which operates to fix one end of the spring connected thereto against movement during normal operation of the counterbalance. The structure connecting the ends of each torsion spring into the hardware is such that each end of the spring is always connected for rotation with either the torsion shaft of the counterbalance or the self-locking mechanism including during the adjustment or setting of the torsion in the springs.

Abstract: This device for actuating a tip-up or sectional door comprises an elongated frame structure supporting a linearly movable member driven through a worm screw or a chain connected to the door to be driven, and secured at two upper points of which one is located at one end of the frame structure. This one end is secured to a fixed support formed with a vertical notch of which the bottom edge has a groove formed therein, the upper edge of this notch being limited by a surface located at a predetermined distance from the groove bottom. The frame structure comprises a support surface, for example in the form of a pin, and a locking surface, for example in the form of another pin, located at a distance from the first pin which corresponds to the predetermined distance. This frame structure can be fitted by a single person by anchoring the lower pin of the support and then raising the frame structure to a substantially horizontal position, so as to lock automatically the device in its operative position.

Abstract: A linear mechanical drive with precise end of travel load positioning includes a drive shaft having a threaded portion intermediate two non-threaded portions, reversible motor drive turning the shaft, a load carrier element threaded on the shaft for pulling the load along the shaft, the carrier disengaging at the non-threaded portions thereby to precisely determine the end position of the carrier irrespective of continued drive shaft rotation. The carrier reengages to the threaded portion upon reversal of drive shaft rotation, and a load connector on the carrier element is adjustable for precisely positioning the load at one or both of the end of travel positions. Other features disclosed protect the drive against excessive mechanical wear and disengage the load from the carrier element for strain relief.

Abstract: A locking apparatus for an electrically actuated garage door opener assembly is disclosed for preventing the unauthorized entry into a home or building. The locking apparatus comprises an electric solenoid and associated plunger and is electrically connected to the electrically actuated garage door opener in order to selective lock and unlock the garage door. In the deactivated condition of the opener, the plunger provides a locking mechanism. When the opener is activated, the solenoid is energized and the plunger is withdrawn from its locking position, thus permitting the door to open. An important feature of the present invention is a sensing mechanism which senses the locked and unlocked position of the solenoid plunger. If the plunger is in the locked position, the sensor will prevent actuation of the opener, thereby avoiding damage to the door or opener.

Abstract: Electromechanical operating device for a slidingly movable door, which device comprises a motor driving a worm on which is mounted a nut connected to the door which is is to be moved, said nut being secured in respect of rotation by a slide guide having a step at the point corresponding to the end of the stroke of the door. This step allows a certain rotation of the nut and constitutes a stop preventing the rearward displacement of the nut when the latter is acted on by means of the door.The nut is composed of two parts axially fastened to one another and mounted for rotation one about the other, these parts being so shaped as to ensure that they will be fastened together in respect of rotation with considerable angular play.The aim of the device is to prevent untimely unlocking of the closed door through the elastic torsional cocking of the worm.

Abstract: A collapsible segment for a drive train, preferably a collapsible actuator arm for a vertical door opening mechanism, such as that for a garage door. The actuator arm comprises two primary components, first and second arms which are aligned with one end of one arm pivotally engaging one end of the other arm. A spring under tension extends between the arms on one side of the pivotal connection of the arms in order to normally retain the arms in alignment. The arms are formed such that they cannot pivot toward the spring. The arms are attached to the garage door mechanism at appropriate locations at opposite ends of the arms, with at least one of the attachment locations being offset from the arms on the other side of the pivotal connection such that when compressive force is applied to the arms, and when the force of the spring has been overcome, the arms are urged to pivot about the pivotal connection away from the spring, thus collapsing the actuator mechanism.

Abstract: A deadbolt assembly adapted for use with automatic door openers having a movable carriage power driven on a track mounted above the door. A lift arm connects the carriage to the door which swings the door up and down about a horizontal axis in response to movement of the carriage. A deadbolt shaft reciprocates within a sleeve which is secured to the lower inside portion of the door. The shaft locks the door when closed by engagement with a lock opening. A cable connects the shaft to the carriage so that the shaft is lifted out of the opening as the carriage moves to lift the door. A slotted bracket connection between the door and lift arm provides a lost motion action to delay door movement until the shaft is out of the opening. In an alternative embodiment, the lift arm includes a free end at the bracket connection. The door connection includes slots which allow the free end to extend beyond the bracket and engage a door header opening after the door is closed.

Abstract: An adjustable speed garage door operator which has a longitudinal rail with a trolley mounted on the rail and connected to a door to open and close it. A chain is connected to the trolley and is mounted on a front idler sprocket and can be selectively mounted on different drive sprockets which have different numbers of teeth so as to vary the speed of the door.

Abstract: A garage door security system for a house having an automatic garage door opener. The system utilizes a pair of horizontally oriented locking rods that have inner ends pivotally secured to the respective top and bottom ends of an elongated secondary bar member. The secondary bar member has a pivot pin passing through its central area that is secured to the garage door itself. The horizontal locking rods pass through respective bore holes in the opposite side frame members of the garage door and when they are in their locked positions, they are inserted into bore holes in the respective side walls of the garage door opening. A primary bar which has its intermediate area pivoted about a fixed pivot pin has a roller mounted on its top end and its bottom end is pivotally secured to the top end of the secondary bar.

Abstract: A garage door opener heater for use on garage doors to heat the drive track of the opener during cold weather to prevent binding and restricted movement of the track when the lubricates within the track solidify at cold temperatures.

Abstract: An overhead tilt door assembly for use with a wide range in size of framed openings from small garage doors to very large aircraft hangar doors. The door is a one-piece unit. The door is suspended on cables which distribute its weight over the top of the framed door opening. There are only four rollers used in the system. Two are mounted halfway up the door, one on each end and are mounted in vertical tracks. There are two other rollers mounted one on each end of the door near the top which are installed in very short vertical tracks attached to short radius ninety degree curved tracks that are fastened to horizontal tracks. Locking pins are provided at the bottom of the door and when the door is closed, the pins engage holes in the floor of the doorway to give added stability. No counterweights or springs are necessary, although counterweights may be helpful in some applications.

Abstract: A safety mechanism for a power operated door activates limit switches for stopping an electric motor or reverses it's polarity. The safety mechanism is more compact than existing types of mechanisms and is suitable for friction drive roller garage door openers. Furthermore, indicator lights are provided that indicates exactly when a limit switch is tripped enabling field adjustment of the safety mechanism to suit specific pressures to either stop or reverse the door. The mechanism includes a worm slidably mounted on a motor drive shaft, with a cage structure around the worm to slide with the worm, two compression springs supporting the cage structure in a neutral position, an actuator member on the cage structure to activate limit switches when the cage structure slides in either direction, and adjustment screws to vary the position of the limit switches, each limit switch having an indicator light indicating when the switch is activated.