Motor Driven Patents (Class 49/280)
  • Patent number: 5140316
    Abstract: Control systems including control circuitry and optional communications systems for operating a slding power-operated member of an automotive vehicle. A powered sliding door in an automotive vehicle, such as a van, moves along a predetermined path of travel between a closed position and a fully open position relative to the body of the vehicle. Such a sliding door may be provided with one or more electrically-operated actuators for performing functions associated with the door, such as power opening and closing the door, power unlatching the door, power locking and unlocking the door, and power clamping, and unclamping the door in a soft or low-momentum manner. The invention is directed toward improved control systems and circuitry for operating such power-sliding door systems. One such control system employs a wireless communications link between the door and body, which is preferably implemented using radio frequency communication signals containing digitally encoded control signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 1990
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1992
    Assignee: Masco Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel L. DeLand, Paul Heimnick, Curtis T. Moy, Lawrence H. Zuckerman, David G. Grossman, Kurt P. Schuler
  • Patent number: 5105131
    Abstract: A power drive system for a sliding door, such as those employed on van type vehicles, enables a positive drive powered operation of the door by a control switch remote from the door and a programmed electronic control unit while accommodating manual operation of the door without mechanical interference or resistance from the drive or altering of the drive control program. A push/pull cable connected to the door is in positive meshed engagement at all times with a rotary drive gear whose rotative displacement from a rest position is continuously transmitted to the electronic control unit as a door position input signal. During powered operation of the door, the control unit is programmed to actuate or control a reversible drive motor or associated devices when the door is at selected positions along its path of movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1992
    Assignee: Alfred Teves GmbH
    Inventor: William W. Schap
  • Patent number: 5095654
    Abstract: An automatic operating system for swinging doors which is controlled by the user by means of a miniature, hand-held radio transmitter having a single operating pushbutton.Depression of the pushbutton results, sequentially, in the retraction of the deadbolt, the retraction of the main latch, and the opening of the door. The door then remains open until the pushbutton is again depressed, whereupon the main latch is extended, the door is swung to its closed position, the deadbolt is extended into its associated recess in the doorjamb, and the air pressure in the automatic door operating system is bled to atmospheric level, resetting the system to its normal or quiescent state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 17, 1992
    Inventor: Jon E. Eccleston
  • Patent number: 5083397
    Abstract: In an automatic door operating system, there is employed a so-called fail-safe means which controls a door closing device. The door closing device functions to enforcedly shift the door from its half-latch position to its full-close latched position. The fail-safe means is so arranged as to deal with such a possible undesirable matter that due to, for example, a foreign thing accidentally caught between the door and the vehicle body, the door is forced to stop during its shifting from the half-latch position to the full-close latched position. Upon this door stopping, a control switch is turned in the other direction by an operator (viz., driver). With this, the door closing device is operated in a reversed manner for a time given by a timer, so that the door is moved back to a position near the half-latch position thereby to facilitate the removal of the foreign thing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 1990
    Date of Patent: January 28, 1992
    Assignee: Ohi Seisakusho Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Soushichi Koura
  • Patent number: 5077938
    Abstract: A reversible-screw- (3) and-nut (14) actuating device is connected by a coupling (12, 13) to a sliding door, the screw (3) itself being connected to a motor. A carriage (11) which can move along the screw comprises a lock (16, 22, 28, 24) for locking this carriage automatically when the nut (14) reaches one end of its travel and for unlocking it automatically when the screw is moved in the opposite direction.The lock (16, 22, 28, 24) can move with respect to the nut and is stressed toward a locking position by a helical spring (29) working in the direction of its winding. A manual unlocking means comprises a plate (37) which can move about an axis (40) so as to align the locking finger (22) and its roller (28) with a slide channel (23) counter to the spring (29), this unlocking being possible even when the screw forces in the direction of closing for safety reasons, the unlocking then being validated only when the screw is released.Application to a door of a public transport vehicle.See FIG. 3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 1991
    Date of Patent: January 7, 1992
    Assignee: Faiveley Transport
    Inventor: Marc Moreuil
  • Patent number: 5076016
    Abstract: The present invention is a powered sliding door system for a vehicle including a semi-rigid cable adapted to be affixed to the sliding door of a vehicle and a powered electromagnetic clutch for driving the cable longitudinally for opening and closing the sliding door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 31, 1991
    Assignee: ASC Incorporated
    Inventors: Allan J. Adams, Michael P. Alexander
  • Patent number: 5063710
    Abstract: A power drive for a sliding door includes a slider for guided sliding movement along a fixed path between first and second end limits of movement. The slider operably engages with a sliding door to impart motion from the slider to the sliding door when traveling in a first direction. A reversible power drive is provided for driving the slider along the fixed path between the first and second end limits of movement in first and second directions of travel. A latch release, coupling the slider to the sliding door, initially releases a latch mechanism and, after release of the latch mechanism, transfers motion from the slider to the sliding door when traveling in the second direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1990
    Date of Patent: November 12, 1991
    Assignee: ITT Corporation
    Inventor: William W. Schap
  • Patent number: 5062241
    Abstract: An improved cable spool arrangement is disclosed for use in powered vehicle door operating systems, or in other cable-actuated devices, having one or more actuating cables. In one form of the invention, a groove, or other open channel-like opening, is formed along a generally helical path on the cable spool, and preferably has a varying groove depth along at least a portion of the helical path in order to take up or pay out at least a portion of a cable at a correspondingly varying rate with respect to cable spool rotation and thus cause movement of a door or other movable member at a correspondingly varying rate with respect to cable spool rotation. A second, constant depth portion of the helical groove can also be provided for generally constant take-up or pay-out of a cable onto or from the constant-depth portion of the helical groove. Such varying radius groove arrangement can be used both in high displacement/low force cable movements and in low displacement/high force cable movements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 1990
    Date of Patent: November 5, 1991
    Assignee: Masco Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel L. DeLand
  • Patent number: 5052730
    Abstract: A closure locking device for the opening of a self-service device, in particular an automatic teller machine includes a locking flap, the outside of which is indented. The locking flap, pivotable about an axis, is positioned behind a projecting upper wall panel and in front of a recessed wall panel. A gap is created when the locking flap is pivoted, and as the flap opens the width of the gap increases, so that any ice formed is broken up or jammed objects are released. A self-locking latch and actuator for the locking flap uses an actuating lever which is pivotable about an axis. The actuating lever includes a shaped guide slot which is engaged by the actuator. In a first part of the guide slot, no displacement work is performed by the actuator, whereas in a second part, which is positioned at an angle to the first part, displacement work is performed to move the lever and locking flap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 1, 1991
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corp.
    Inventors: Bruno Frank, Ulrich Hengstler
  • Patent number: 5050346
    Abstract: An automatic operating system for swinging doors which is controlled by the user by means of a miniature, hand-held radio transmitter having a single operating pushbutton. Depression of the pushbutton results, sequentially, in the retraction of the deadbolt, the retraction of the main latch, and the opening of the door. The door then remains open until the pushbutton is again depressed, whereupon the main latch is extended, the door is swung to its closed position, the deadbolt is extended into its associated recess in the doorjamb, and the air pressure in the automatic door operating system is bled to atmospheric level, resetting the system to its normal or quiescent state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 24, 1991
    Inventor: Jon E. Eccleston
  • Patent number: 5050344
    Abstract: An automatic gate opening device is provided which simultaneously lifts and opens the gate. A drive mechanism forces the gate upward, while a roller bearing following a helical slot in a tube causes rotation of the gate. Hinges are provided which allow simultaneous rotational and linear displacement of the gate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 24, 1991
    Inventor: Wayne B. Skeem
  • Patent number: 5035463
    Abstract: A roof door device of a motor vehicle is disclosed. The vehicle has a roof and a side door operable to close a side door opening. The roof has a roof side opening which is positioned above and merged with the side door opening. A roof door is pivotally connected to the roof to open and close the roof side opening. A guide rail is mounted on the roof at a position near the roof side opening. A slider is slidable in and along the guide rail. A pivotal arm has one end pivotally connected to the roof and the other end connected to the roof door. A link member has one end pivotally connected to the slider and the other end pivotally connected to the pivotal arm, so that a movement of the slider in and along the guide rail in one direction causes folding of the pivotal arm thereby closing the roof side opening with the roof door. A pin is connected to the pivotal arm. The link member has a holding recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 30, 1991
    Assignee: Ohi Seisakusho Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuichi Kato, Hiroshi Yoshida, Kozo Mizusawa
  • Patent number: 5025591
    Abstract: An improved cable spool arrangement is disclosed for use in powered vehicle door operating systems, or in other cable-actuated devices, having one or more actuating cables. In one form of the invention, a groove, or other open channel-like opening, is formed along a generally helical path on the cable spool, and preferably has a varying groove depth along at least a portion of the helical path in order to take up or pay out at least a portion of a cable at a correspondingly varying rate with respect to cable spool rotation and thus cause movement of a door or other movable member at a correspondingly varying rate with respect to cable spool rotation. A second, constant depth portion of the helical groove can also be optionally provided for generally constant take-up or pay-out of a cable onto or from the constant-depth portion of the helical groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 1990
    Date of Patent: June 25, 1991
    Assignee: Masco Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel L. DeLand, Douglas L. Semke
  • Patent number: 5018303
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an automatic door operating system for use in a motor vehicle having a vehicle body and a movable door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 1990
    Date of Patent: May 28, 1991
    Assignee: Ohi Seisakusho Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Soushichi Koura, Jun Yamagishi
  • Patent number: 5001861
    Abstract: A garage door locking device (10) includes a bracket (12) for connection to a garage door (12) and translating initial push/pull movement of a first push/pull cable (20) into locking and unlocking actuation of a latch member (30), respectively. The bracket (32) includes a slot defining a track having closed ends at each end thereof for stopping and engaging a follower member (44) mounted thereon. A second push/pull cable (48) has a first end connected to the follower member (44) and a second end connected to a latch member (30) so that the follower member (44) is biased towards one of the closed ends of the slot (40) when the latch member (30) is engaged to lock the door and the follower member (44) engages the other closed end of the slot (40) when the latch member (30) is disengaged from the locked condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 1989
    Date of Patent: March 26, 1991
    Inventor: Richard E. Hahn
  • Patent number: 4996795
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 5, 1991
    Inventor: John O. Niswonger
  • Patent number: 4984385
    Abstract: An improved closing device is disclosed for use in powered vehicle door operating systems, or in other closure member operating devices, either manual or powered. In one preferred form of the invention a rotatable member includes cam or recessed surfaces thereon for causing a plunger to move between two positions as the rotatable member is rotated. The plunger includes a magnet thereon for magnetically actuating or deactuating a preferred magnetically actuated reed switch in order to control the rotation of the movable member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 1990
    Date of Patent: January 15, 1991
    Assignee: Masco Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel L. DeLand
  • Patent number: 4956939
    Abstract: A releasable connection device for connecting a motor driven drive cable to a closure includes a pin attached to the closure and having a spherical head. A housing member connected to the cable has an elongated slot formed in a lateral wall and receiving the spherical head of the pin. A ramp surface formed on the housing member at the end of the elongated slot furthest from the cable is engaged by the head of the pin. A spring clip mounted on the housing member has opposed spring arms which encircle the spherical head to retain the head of the pin in the elongated slot of the housing member to connect the motor driven drive element and the vehicle body closure. The spring arms yield in response to a predetermined level of forced imposed thereon by the spherical head of the pin so that the pin is ejected laterally through the opening to disconnect the drive element from the closure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 18, 1990
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Howard W. Kuhlman
  • Patent number: 4945677
    Abstract: A swinging and sliding door for a vehicle, especially a motor vehicle, with a door panel, with at least one pivoting arm secured to the wall of the vehicle, with a carriage articulated to the end of the arm and sliding back and forth on a carrier connected to the door panel, and with a drive mechanism secured to the wall of the vehicle and having one wheel that drives a flexible linear-transmission structure guided by rollers and attached to the door panel to generate the sliding motion and another wheel that generates the swinging motion. The axis of rotation of the first wheel and that of the second wheel are concentric with the axis of rotation of the pivoting arm and both wheels can be coupled to a common motor by way of automatic clutches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 7, 1990
    Assignee: Gebr. Bode & Co. GmbH
    Inventor: Hans Kramer
  • Patent number: 4924626
    Abstract: A device for automatically opening and closing a door by turning the door through an angle of 90.degree. from an open to a closed position and vice versa.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 15, 1990
    Inventor: Si-Ling Ts'ao
  • Patent number: 4901474
    Abstract: A power door operator for transit vehicles utilizing a rodless pneumatic cylinder as a prime mover in opening and closing doors in the sidewall of a transit vehicles. Door movement having a controlled, predetermined door edge force is achieved through mechanical coupling an external piston of the rodless cylinder and vehicle doors through an endless toothed belt. Magnetic coupling between internal and external pistons of the cylinder provide controlled force having a maximum or breakaway value applied to the operated door. A novel reaction lock operated by admission of pressurized air to the cylinder latches or unlatches the operated door in its closed position subsequent or prior to door closing or opening. Control of door motion at the ends of its travel is achieved through the use of a novel differential area internal piston in the pneumatic cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1988
    Date of Patent: February 20, 1990
    Assignee: Vapor Corporation
    Inventors: Robert G. Bayard, Anthony J. Walsh
  • Patent number: 4897959
    Abstract: A jail-cell door is suspended from an overhead carriage, for horizontal displacement between closed and open positions, and an elongate slide bar has a horizontal lost-motion connection to the carriage. The slide bar mounts a reversible electric motor and is continuously engaged to the driven one of two rollers from which the carriage and its cell door are suspended; the shaft for the other suspension roller is journaled in the carriage. For driving the cell door in the door-opening direction, the outer lost-motion limit determines an expanded wheelbase of door suspension, and for driving the cell door in the door-closing direction, the inner lost-motion limit determines a slightly reduced wheelbase of door suspension. The slide bar carries cam formations at or near its respective ends for determining locking-bolt action only at the fully closed and fully open positions of the door, and a deadlock device is pivotally carried at one end of the slide bar, serving the door-closed condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 6, 1990
    Assignee: Marotta Scientific Controls, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald A. Worden
  • Patent number: 4893435
    Abstract: An opener for a sliding panel closure of a wall opening has a toothed belt horizontally disposed between a toothed sprocket and an arcuate grooved shoe located within a threshold plate extending across the opening adjacent a channel strip within which the panel slides. A bracket attaches the panel to the belt which moves the panel between closed and open positions by a shaft coupled through an electrical clutch between the sprocket and a motor. A solenoid driven armature raises and lowers a pin relative to the sprocket teeth to lock panel movement. A handle and latch provides override to unlock the panel for manual operation. The motor, clutch, solenoid and all other electrical components are separately housed marginally of the opening, at a location above the threshold to protect them from water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 1989
    Date of Patent: January 16, 1990
    Assignee: Remote-A-Matic, Inc.
    Inventor: H. Stanley Shalit
  • Patent number: 4887390
    Abstract: A door operator for a slide door that is slidingly supported relative to a door opening in a side panel of a vehicle body is disclosed. The door is supported adjacent its forward end on at least one forward guide member and is supported adjacent its rear end on a rear guide member. The guide members guide the door through (i) an initial closing movement generally parallel to the side panel, (ii) a final closing movement generally parallel to the side panel, (iii) at least a portion of its final closing movement generally toward the plane of the door opening, and (iv) at least a portion of its initial opening movement generally away from the plane of the door opening. The door operator comprises means including a cable member coupled to the rear end of the door for driving the door along the guide members to thereby move the door through its initial and final opening and closing movements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1987
    Date of Patent: December 19, 1989
    Assignee: Masco Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: James G. Boyko, Timothy J. Farrar, Stephen B. Peterson
  • Patent number: 4887205
    Abstract: A system for controlling a gate includes a microprocessor which normally automatically recloses a gate after it has been opened in response to a radio or sensor loop signal, and which normally locks the gate against movement when the gate motor is stopped. When an obstruction is sensed in the path of the gate, the automatic reclosing feature and the sensor loops are disabled, the gate drive remains unlocked even though the motor is stopped, and the response of the system to a radio signal is changed to produce alternating opening and closing of the gate on successive radio signals. At all times, the gate drive lock is released before the motor is started and is not engaged until after the gate has come to rest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1987
    Date of Patent: December 12, 1989
    Inventor: Tom M. Chou
  • Patent number: 4884831
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 1987
    Date of Patent: December 5, 1989
    Inventor: Randall S. Emon
  • Patent number: 4862640
    Abstract: A door operator for a slide door that is slidingly supported relative to a door opening in a side panel of a vehicle body is disclosed. The door is supported adjacent its forward end on at least one forward guide member and is supported adjacent its rear end on a rear guide member. The guide members guide the door through (i) an initial closing movement generally parallel to the side panel, (ii) a final closing movement generally parallel to the side panel, (iii) at least a portion of its final closing movement generally toward the plane of the door opening, and (iv) at least a portion of its initial opening movement generally away from the plane of the door opening. The door operator comprises means including a first cable member coupled to the rear end of the door and a second cable member coupled to the forward end of the door for driving the door along the guide members to thereby move the door through its initial and final opening and closing movements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 1988
    Date of Patent: September 5, 1989
    Assignee: Masco Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: James G. Boyko, Timothy J. Farrar, Stephen B. Peterson
  • Patent number: 4861089
    Abstract: A venting arrangement for an automotive vehicle is provided in which its rear closure is automatically raised to a slightly open position in response to opening a door of the vehicle so that upon closing the door, entrapped air in the vehicle can escape through the rear to reduce door closing effort. The arrangement includes a latch and pull down mechanism for the rear closure of the vehicle to move the same between a partially open and a closed position and a control means including door jamb switches for energizing the pull down unit to raise the rear closure to its partially open position in response to opening movement of the door and to return the same to its fully closed position in response to closing of the door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 29, 1989
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: David E. Compeau, Lloyd W. Rogers, Robert J. Myslicki
  • Patent number: 4854076
    Abstract: An air cylinder operates a loose link cam fixed to a rod which pivots the hatch cover which is normally latched closed. As the cylinder is operated, the first portion of the movement unlatches the cover and the remainder of the movement swings the cover up to an over centre position whereupon it falls by gravity to the fully opened position without any further movement of the cylinder. The loose link cam permits the cover to move through approximately 180.degree. during the opening motion. when closing the cover, the same action takes place with the latch moving to the closed position by means of a spring and being displaced by the cover falling to the closed position by gravity once it has been moved by the loose link cam to the over centre position. The upper surface of the latch hook is curved so that the edge of the cover cross bar strikes the latch and displaces same as the cover closes and which is then returned to the latching position by the spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 8, 1989
    Inventors: Murray K. Sieben, Gordon L. Rohs
  • Patent number: 4854223
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a penumatic or hydraulic drive for opening and closing of doors, in which the linear motion of a double-acting piston 5 driven by a pressure medium is converted into a rotary motion of a spindle 2 through a piston rod 6 and a helical gear box 3. Herein a blocking lever 10 supported in a stationary manner is provided, which in the closed position of the door engages under the action of a spring 18 at a part 11 connected with a piston 5, wherein said blocking lever secures the piston in its end position and is held in its open position counter to the force of an additional spring 15 by a power cylinder 14 acted upon by the pressure means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 1987
    Date of Patent: August 8, 1989
    Assignee: IFE Industrie-Einrichtungen Fertigungs-Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Martin Fink
  • Patent number: 4851742
    Abstract: An integrated panel control in which both the release and pulldown mechanisms are controlled by a single operator activated switch. Initial operator activation of the switch when the panel is closed energizes the release mechanism through a latch switch which indicates that the latch bolt and striker are mechanically coupled. Initial operator activation of the switch when the panel is open activates the motor of the pulldown mechanism through the latch switch in initiate a pulldown of the panel. A second activation of the switch during the pulldown aborts the pulldown sequence by reversing the pulldown motor, freeing a spring or other device to re-open the panel. A second activation of the switch after the latch bolt and striker are mechanically coupled energizes the release mechanism through the latch switch to uncouple the latch bolt from the striker, freeing a spring or other device to open the panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 25, 1989
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Walter C. Chapman
  • Patent number: 4848031
    Abstract: A door control device is disclosed, which comprises a full closing lock device mounted to the door and latchingly restraining the door to the vehicle body when the door is pivoted to its fully closed position; a lock cancelling operation switch mounted on the door at a position to be manipulatable from the outside of the vehicle body; a full closing lock cancelling device mounted on the door and cancelling a locked condition of the full closing lock device upon operation of the lock cancelling operation switch; a door driving device arranged between the door and the vehicle body, the door driving device driving the door to a predetermined half-open position upon cancellation of the locked condition of the full closing lock device; a half opening lock device mounted on the door and latchingly restraining the door to the vehicle body when the door is pivoted to the half-open position; and a half opening lock cancelling device mounted on the door for cancelling a locked condition of the half opening lock device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 18, 1989
    Assignees: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., Ohi Seisakusho Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jun Yamagishi, Hiromitsu Nishikawa, Toshio Yokoo
  • Patent number: 4833827
    Abstract: A rotating drive mechanism for operating the wing of a swinging door, especially of a vehicle. The wing is articulated by pivoting arms to a rotating post, which it rotates along with. When the door is closed, the wing can be raised by axial displacement of the post into a locked position, where locking components on the stationary door frame and on the wing of the door engage each other. The post is driven by a strictly linear mechanism that is controlled by pressure medium and its linear motion is converted into a rotation by a helical transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 30, 1989
    Assignee: Gebr. Bode & Co. GmbH
    Inventors: Jurgen Bode, Manfred Horn
  • Patent number: 4827667
    Abstract: The invention relates generally to motorized garage door operating apparatus and, more specifically, to such apparatus including mechanical locking means which automatically disengages at the onset of energization of the motorized opening/closing apparatus from the closed door condition before any opening motion of the door begins. The apparatus also operates to activate the locking means after the door is advanced to its fully closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 9, 1989
    Inventor: Ralph C. Jarvis
  • Patent number: 4819379
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 1987
    Date of Patent: April 11, 1989
    Assignee: Automatic Electrolock, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph E. Kenzelmann, Frederick J. Kenzelmann
  • Patent number: 4819376
    Abstract: A driving and guiding apparatus for a counter-weighed horizontally pivoted wing, particularly for a garage door. The apparatus comprises a structure embedded in an opening that the wing is designed to close, two lateral vertical guides for the wing formed in the embedded structure, an articulation rod on each side and two lateral weight-carrying cables turning around a respective pulley. The apparatus also comprises a drive means for opening and closing the wing which includes a motor-driven transmission shaft which extends along the lintel of the opening in which the wing is mounted, a pinion mounted on each end of the transmission shaft and a toothed wheel mounted coaxially and rigid in rotation with each pulley. Each toothed wheel meshes with a respective pinion so that the rotation of the transmission shaft in one direction causes controlled unwinding of the cables, and thus the opening or lifting of the wing, and its rotation in the opposite direction causes its shutting or lowering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1987
    Date of Patent: April 11, 1989
    Assignee: Silvelox S.p.A.
    Inventor: Silvio Taddei
  • Patent number: 4805344
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1987
    Date of Patent: February 21, 1989
    Inventor: Deso I. Hrboka
  • Patent number: 4802604
    Abstract: The back door of a cotton module builder is raised and lowered by a hydraulic cylinder extending from above the back door to a latch shaft extending across the back door. Movement of the hydraulic cylinder latches and unlatches latch bolts upon the latch shaft as well as raising and lowering the back door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1988
    Date of Patent: February 7, 1989
    Assignee: Scott Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventor: Russell E. Lindsey
  • Patent number: 4796385
    Abstract: An automatic gate opener lock. The gate opener lock has a locking bolt which is moved between locked and unlocked positions by the movement of swing arm of an automatic gate opener. To prevent movement of the locking bolt toward its locked position before the gate is closed, springs are arranged for resisting movement in that direction. The springs have a combined resistive force greater than the force required to move the gate. Only when the gate is closed, and the force from the swing arm may no longer be dissipated through gate movement, is the combined force of the springs overcome, and the locking bolt moved into the locked position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 1987
    Date of Patent: January 10, 1989
    Inventor: Michael E. Tyler
  • Patent number: 4794732
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 1988
    Date of Patent: January 3, 1989
    Inventor: Salvador C. Elardi
  • Patent number: 4771218
    Abstract: A garage door opener with solenoid latches is provided with a circuit for energizing the coils of the solenoid latches with power from a 24-volt step-down transformer, either as 120 volt power is applied to a motor to move the door in response to detection of an initial surge of current or as a manual or radio controlled command switch is actuated. In either case, current at a higher level is applied initially to pull in the armature locking pins of the solenoid latches, and thereafter at a lower hold-in level. A transformer with a single turn primary winding or a Hall-effect device may be used to detect the initial surge of current to the motor and in response thereto pull in the locking pins. Thereafter, hold-in current is applied as long as current to the motor is sensed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1987
    Date of Patent: September 13, 1988
    Inventor: Michael H. McGee
  • Patent number: 4739585
    Abstract: Apparatus for automatically closing the deck lid of an automotive vehicle wherein the deck lid is manually moveable between open and closed positions and carries a latch operable to latch the lid closed and release the lid for opening movement. The apparatus of this invention is advantageous because it will not interfere with manual opening and closing of the lid. It includes a drive mechanism connected to the deck lid and operable when actuated from a remote location such as a switch inside the passenger compartment of the vehicle, to move the deck lid downwardly to a nearly closed position. A moveable striker inside the trunk compartment is engageable with the latch in the nearly closed position of the deck and is operable to pull the deck lid downwardly to the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 1986
    Date of Patent: April 26, 1988
    Assignee: Hoover Universal, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph Pickles
  • Patent number: 4703960
    Abstract: The latching bolt of a window lock is pivotally mounted on a slide to pivot between locked and unlocked positions. A reversible motor with a rotary drive shaft is adapted to reciprocate the slide outwardly and inwardly by means of a scotch yoke connection between the drive shaft and the slide, the scotch yoke being of the lost-motion type so as to permit the slide to shift independently of the drive. When the slide is shifted outwardly, the bolt is permitted to pivot to its unlocked position and, when the slide is shifted inwardly, the bolt is cammed to its locked position. A lever may be operated manually to unlock the bolt in the event there is a loss of power to the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 1986
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1987
    Assignee: Amerock Corporation
    Inventor: Robert F. Lense
  • Patent number: 4680891
    Abstract: Electrically-operated hydraulic and mechanical apparatus is disclosed for opening and closing a large door, for example, on a cargo airplane. Door latching or locking apparatus is also disclosed, which serves to prevent the door from being inadvertently opened at any time. The hydraulic and mechanical apparatus are sequentially activated so that, for example, before the door latching operation can begin, full closing of the door is required. Conversely, before opening of the door can occur, full unlatching of the latching mechanism must first occur.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 1986
    Date of Patent: July 21, 1987
    Assignee: Monarch Aviation, Inc.
    Inventor: John W. Perkins
  • Patent number: 4665649
    Abstract: Gate operator and latch mechanism in which a refuse container is provided with a gate which is pivotally attached to the refuse container and which normally closes an opening through which refuse is discharged from the refuse container. A latch mechanism secures the gate in closed position. The operator mechansim is operably joined to the gate for pivotal movement thereof. The operation mechanism is also operably joined to the latch mechanism for operation thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1985
    Date of Patent: May 19, 1987
    Assignees: Dempster Systems Inc., Southern Railway
    Inventor: Henry M. Hund, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4665650
    Abstract: This invention is directed to a gate assembly. It is possible to open a gate and close the gate from a remote position such as being in an automotive vehicle. The gate assembly comprises a tubular support and guide, an inner rotatable guide follower in the tubular support and guide. An outer rotatable follower outside of the tubular support and guide. The outer rotatable follower and the inner rotatable guide follower are connected. A gate is connected to the outer rotatable follower. There is a means for simultaneously elevating and rotating both the inner rotatable guide follower and the outer rotatable guide follower to move the gate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1986
    Date of Patent: May 19, 1987
    Inventor: Richard C. Hall
  • Patent number: 4655004
    Abstract: One element of the hatchway panel is hinged to the hatch coaming through a link and is connected to the piston rod of a hydraulic actuator of which the cylinder foot portion comprises a transverse pin adapted to slide within an elongate hole provided in a fixed support. On this fixed support is pivoted a locking hook adapted to co-act with a lateral stop of the panel for locking the panel in its closed position. When the hydraulic actuator is actuated for opening the panel, the foot portion of the actuator cylinder first engages a heel portion of the locking hook and causes this hook to pivot for automatically unlocking the panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 1985
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1987
    Assignee: Kone Oy
    Inventor: Rene Caillet
  • Patent number: 4644693
    Abstract: This invention concerns about an electric device for opening or shutting automotive doors, which comprises a transmitting device controlling opening or shutting the door and an electromagnetic coil controlling the door lock. The transmitting device uses a motor and an electromagnetic clutch which are able to operate to open or close the door by pushing of a rack and attain the aim of automatically controlling the opening or closing of the door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 1985
    Date of Patent: February 24, 1987
    Inventor: Hong J. Wang
  • Patent number: 4640050
    Abstract: An automatic sliding door system for vehicles to operate opening and closing movements of a sliding door of a vehicle automatically and safely from a driver's seat as well as outside of the vehicle, comprises a guide rail affixed to the body so that the sliding door can be guided along the rail by sending wires firmly connected to the door by an electric motor, an operating device consisting of two parts, one being mounted near the driver's seat and another being mounted inside the body adjacent to the sliding door, a door lock releasing device mechanically or electrically connecting a door lock of the sliding door at one end and the operating device at another end through a coupling which is joint when the door is closed but separated when the door is opened, and a control device connected to the operating device to control movements of the sliding door in accordance with operation of the operating device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 1985
    Date of Patent: February 3, 1987
    Assignee: Ohi Seisakusho Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jun Yamagishi, Hiromitu Nishikawa
  • Patent number: 4617757
    Abstract: A pair of cables to move a sliding door are introduced into the sliding door and connected to a linkage fixed to the sliding door. The linkage transmit part of the power to move the sliding door to a door lock to operate the latch of the door lock. The linkage also takes up slack in the pair of cables when loosened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1985
    Date of Patent: October 21, 1986
    Assignee: Ohi Seisakusho Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tsutomu Kagiyama, Fumio Kobayashi, Jun Yamagishi, Hiromitsu Nishikawa