With Safety Brake Or Catch Patents (Class 49/322)
  • Patent number: 11346140
    Abstract: A vertical door system includes a safety brake that is engaged when the vertical door system fails. The safety brake includes a panel with a slanted channel and a pin slidably disposed in the slanted channel. The panel may be coupled to a counterweight that keeps the pin from engaging with stops in a track when the safety brake is disengaged. When the panel is uncoupled from the counterweight, the safety brake engages and the pin may slide in the channel to allow contact between a portion of the pin and one of the stops in the track to inhibit movement of a door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: Renlita Doors North America, LLC
    Inventors: Jason Royse, Caleb Allan White
  • Patent number: 9404303
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a chain winder which has a casing, a chain housed at least partially within the casing and extension means operable to cause the chain to extend out from the casing and also to retract back into the casing. The chain winder also includes a clutch mechanism which is operable to allow the chain to be extended out from the casing, or retracted back into the casing, without operating the extension means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: Assa Abloy Australia Pty Limited
    Inventors: Martin Charles Potts, Craig Robert Jeffrey
  • Patent number: 9080361
    Abstract: The present invention essentially comprises an overhead door backup spring system for providing an auxiliary spring counterweight to operate an overhead door shaft upon failure of a spring. The system has an activation unit, a control assembly, an engagement assembly operably associated with the activation unit, and an auxiliary spring engagement assembly operably associated with the control and engagement assemblies. The control assembly has an engagement block engageable with a spring post of the auxiliary spring assembly. The engagement assembly has an engagement post engageable with the spring post to transfer torque from the auxiliary spring to the overhead door shaft. An engaged position has the engagement post not engaged with the spring posts while the engagement block is engaged with the spring post. A non-engaged position has the engagement post engaged with the spring post, and the engagement block not engaged with the spring post.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: Kydrid Door Systems Inc.
    Inventor: Trever Nykilchuk
  • Patent number: 8793933
    Abstract: An assembly is provided comprising a spring break protection mechanism and a spring plug for connecting a balancing spring of a sectional door system to the spring break protection mechanism. The mechanism comprises a base plate with a circular opening for receiving a balancing axle. A ratchet wheel is rotatably arranged at a first side of said base plate to cooperate with the balancing axle. A pawl is pivotably connected to the base plate. Attached to said pawl is an extension extending from the pawl to beyond a second side of the base plate. The base plate and the spring plug are arranged for bayonet mount interaction wherein if the spring plug is placed against the second side of the base plate and then rotated for bayonet connection, part of the spring plug pushes the extension so as to force the pawl in the first position. If the spring plug is then rotated in an opposite direction, the pawl moves into the second position, to block the ratchet wheel so as to avoid rotation of the balancing axle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Assa Abloy Entrance Systems AB
    Inventors: Antonius Johannes Peterse, Jildert Adzer Gaastra
  • Publication number: 20130283696
    Abstract: A casement window opening control fall prevention device having an emergency escape release mechanism. The device includes a limit arm of selected length having a pivotal connection at a proximal end secured to the casement window frame and a roller at its distal end received and confined for travel in a track secured to the casement window sash. An outer limit stop is provided in the track and positioned to stop the roller at an outer sash opening limit position in the track to thereby prevent a child from falling through the window opening. An escape disengagement opening is provided in the track for escape through the window opening in an emergency. This escape disengagement opening is positioned outwardly in the track beyond the outer limit stop and is dimensioned to pass the roller to thereby disengage the roller from the track by forcing the roller beyond the outer limit stop and through the opening with hand manipulation of the limit arm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2012
    Publication date: October 31, 2013
    Inventor: She Shun Zhang
  • Patent number: 8528256
    Abstract: A safety device is provided for an upward acting door supported by a support cable, the door being movable along a pair of parallel tracks between an open position and a closed position. The safety device includes a brake pad mechanism disposed within at least one of the parallel tracks and coupleable to the door, the brake pad mechanism operable between a released position, to enable movement of the door as the door is positioned between the open and closed positions, and a braking position, to resist movement of the door. The support cable is coupled to the release mechanism such that in the event of a loss of tension of the support cable, the release mechanism actuates from the released position to the braking position to resist movement of the door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Overhead Door Corporation
    Inventors: Charles A. Haba, Shawn P. Leech
  • Patent number: 8474096
    Abstract: An overhead door safety system includes a loading dock having a loading dock wall defining an opening. A truck and trailer door safety device is mounted to the loading dock wall. The truck and trailer door safety device includes a mounting bracket adapted for mounting to the loading dock wall and a swing arm. The swing arm includes an arm extension portion and a pivot portion. The pivot portion is pivotally mounted to the mounting bracket so that the swing arm pivots about a pivot axis between a retaining position and a storage position. In the retaining position, the arm extension portion is disposed beneath an overhead door of a truck positioned adjacent to the opening of the loading dock wall to prevent the overhead door from closing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Supervalu, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy B. Thompson, Jeffrey C. Bassett, Nicholas R. Tonozzi, Richard T. Rundle, Mike E. Daly, Dale H. Peleski, Tom G. Peterson, Harvey E. Boyles, Bennie L. Dickerson, Claudie D. Morgan, William H. Hough, Danny R. Dale
  • Patent number: 8424246
    Abstract: An anti-fall device for a window sash comprises a window-sash fixing block, a window-frame fixing block, an elastic metal wire and a pipe. The elastic metal wire connects the window-sash fixing block and the window-frame fixing block. The window-sash fixing block is defined with a through hole into which the pipe is inserted. One end of the elastic metal wire is connected to the window-frame fixing block, and the other end of the elastic metal wire penetrates the through hole in the window-sash fixing block and enters the pipe. The end of the elastic metal wire, which penetrates the through hole, is fixed with a limiting block. The diameter of the limiting block is bigger than that of the through hole. The window-sash fixing block is fixed on the window sash, and the window-frame fixing block is fixed on the window frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Inventors: Lin Feng, Lokshun Leung
  • Publication number: 20120279131
    Abstract: A safety device is provided for an upward acting door supported by a support cable, the door being movable along a pair of parallel tracks between an open position and a closed position. The safety device includes a brake pad mechanism disposed within at least one of the parallel tracks and coupleable to the door, the brake pad mechanism operable between a released position, to enable movement of the door as the door is positioned between the open and closed positions, and a braking position, to resist movement of the door. The support cable is coupled to the release mechanism such that in the event of a loss of tension of the support cable, the release mechanism actuates from the released position to the braking position to resist movement of the door.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2011
    Publication date: November 8, 2012
    Applicant: Overhead Door Corporation
    Inventors: Charles A. Haba, Shawn P. Leech
  • Publication number: 20120186158
    Abstract: The invention relates to a door drive device (11) for driving a door leaf (18) of a door (10), comprising a traction mechanism (13) designed in particular as a rope drive, the mechanism comprising a traction means monitoring device (28) for monitoring a breakdown of a traction means (Z1, Z2). In order to provide a simple design, which can be installed with particular ease, yet ensures safe operation, the traction means monitoring device (28) consists of mechanical blocking devices (150, 160) acting in opposing door movement directions and blocking when the traction means tension of an associated traction means (Z1, Z2) decreases and a load monitoring device (78) for a motor drive assembly (49) for load interruption when one of the blocking devices (150, 160) blocks.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2010
    Publication date: July 26, 2012
    Applicant: HORMANN KG ANTRIEBSTECHNIK
    Inventor: Michael Sanke
  • Patent number: 8215060
    Abstract: A window regulator includes a carrier. The carrier includes a holding section and is capable slide along a guide rail with the holding section slidably contacting on the guide rail. The carrier supports a window panel. A brake mechanism is provided on the carrier. The brake mechanism prevents the window panel (the carrier) from self-weight drop by slidably contacting onto the guide rail by an urging force thereof. According to the window regulator, good down operations of the window panel can be maintained even if a slidably contacting portion(s) of the holding section that holds the guide rail becomes worn.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Mitsui Mining and Smelting Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuyuki Sasaki, Yosuke Kitamura, Yasunori Nakajima
  • Publication number: 20110209411
    Abstract: An overhead door safety system includes a loading dock having a loading dock wall defining an opening. A truck and trailer door safety device is mounted to the loading dock wall. The truck and trailer door safety device includes a mounting bracket adapted for mounting to the loading dock wall and a swing arm. The swing arm includes an arm extension portion and a pivot portion. The pivot portion is pivotally mounted to the mounting bracket so that the swing arm pivots about a pivot axis between a retaining position and a storage position. In the retaining position, the arm extension portion is disposed beneath an overhead door of a truck positioned adjacent to the opening of the loading dock wall to prevent the overhead door from closing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2010
    Publication date: September 1, 2011
    Inventors: Timothy B. Thompson, Jeffrey C. Bassett, Nicholas R. Tonozzi, Richard T. Rundle, Mike E. Daly, Dale H. Peleski, Tom G. Peterson, Harvey E. Boyles, Bennie L. Dickerson, Claudie D. Morgan, William H. Hough, Danny R. Dale
  • Patent number: 7752789
    Abstract: An exemplary display device includes a support member, a pair of displays slidably attached to the support member, and positioning members disposed between the displays and the support member. The support member includes a straight slideway, and a curved slideway defined therein. The curved slideway includes a slanting portion, and a first straight portion and a second straight portion extending out from opposite ends of the slanting portion. The straight slideway is parallel to the first straight portion of the curved slideway and in line with the second straight portion of the curved slideway. The displays are slidably received in the straight slideway and the curved slideway respectively. The displays may be positioned to form a large screen, or slid to overlap leaving a single display visible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ke Sun, Zhen-Xing Ye
  • Publication number: 20100005723
    Abstract: An overhead door control system includes an input shaft drivably connected to an overhead door axle and a load brake shaft drivably connected to the input shaft. The control system includes a load brake which releases the load brake shaft in response to rotation of the input shaft. The load brake engages the load brake shaft in response to the rotation of the input shaft being driven to zero.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2009
    Publication date: January 14, 2010
    Inventor: Rob J. Evans
  • Patent number: 7635017
    Abstract: A cable tensioner (20) for a sectional overhead door (D) having a motor-driven counterbalance system (30) including, a spring-loaded axle (31), cable drums (24) carried by the axle, cables (C) attached to and interconnecting the cable drums and the door and forming and releasing cable wraps (29) on the cable drums upon raising and lowering of the door, the cable tensioner having, a tension spring (31) adapted to be mounted on the sectional door having a first end (34) and a second end (35), the first end being adapted to engage the door and the second end being adapted to slidingly engage the cable, wherein the tension spring urges the second end to take up any slack in the cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2009
    Assignee: Wayne-Dalton Corp.
    Inventors: Thomas B. Bennett, III, Dwayne J. Kornish, Edward C. Johnston
  • Patent number: 7610719
    Abstract: There is provided an active brake release device attached to the exterior of a door controller having a first electromagnet, in which a sliding portion can slide to activate a sliding bar when the first electromagnet is energized; a first and a second actuator, in which the first actuator is located to abut against the break release bar of the door controller, and a sliding pin of the first actuator is yieldingly biased in the anti-activation direction of the bar; and, the second actuator is limited by a limit means at a fixed position; a second electromagnet, which is used to release the second actuator when the second electromagnet is energized; and a circuit, which includes a limit-switch for switching on the first electromagnet upon resetting of the device and a capacitor which is used to temporarily supply power to the second electromagnet in an event of unexpected electricity failure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2009
    Inventor: Chung Hsien Hsieh
  • Patent number: 7600344
    Abstract: A brake device for a cable-operated door operated by a tension cable, being mountable onto the cable-operated door and configured for cooperating with the tension cable so as to immobilize the cable-operated door with respect to the fixed structure by a braking arm in the event of a loss of tension in the cable. The brake device is provided with an anti-theft mechanism including a catcher assembly and a protrusion operatively projecting from the braking arm. The catcher assembly is operatively connectable to the fixed structure and the protrusion is shaped, positioned and sized with respect to the catcher assembly so as to be engaged with the catcher assembly when the braking arm is operated into the engaged configuration caused by a given loss of tension in the cable, thereby preventing the cable-operated door from being displaced upwardly along the fixed structure as a result of the catcher assembly abutting against the protrusion of the braking arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2009
    Assignee: Canimex, Inc.
    Inventor: Stéphane Michaud
  • Patent number: 7600553
    Abstract: A safety mechanism for a closing installation, comprising a shaft and an element having teeth for cooperating with a catch which oscillates during rotational movements of the shaft. The mechanism further comprises a safety system including a ring for braking the oscillatory movement of the catch. The movement of the ring is controlled by a detecting system that detects the state of a spring which used to compensate the torque exerted on the shaft by the screen body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2009
    Assignee: SIMU
    Inventor: Christophe Bresson
  • Patent number: 7543625
    Abstract: A braking device configured for use with the counterbalancing system of a garage door. The brake device includes a support bracket, a ratchet wheel, a pawl arm, and a biasing spring. The support bracket is rigidly connected to a fixed structure and has a guiding slot. The ratchet wheel is securely mounted about the overhead shaft of the counterbalancing system and has at least one notch. The pawl arm has first and second ends, the first end of the pawl arm being pivotally connected to the support bracket and the second end of the pawl arm cooperating with the guiding slot and being movable with respect to the support bracket along said guiding slot. The first and second ends of the pawl arm are further connected to flanges of a plug on either side of the overhead shaft. The biasing spring is operatively connected between the support bracket and the pawl arm so as to exert a biasing force for biasing the pawl arm towards the ratchet wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2009
    Assignee: Canimex Inc.
    Inventors: Michel Beaudoin, Pierre-Louis Foucault, Jean-François Lévesque, Pascal Provencher, Richard Tremblay
  • Patent number: 7484332
    Abstract: The invention relates to a door comprising a leaf that is movable between an open position and a closed position, a guiding element which is fixed to the door leaf, interacts with a guide rail, and directs the movement of the door leaf, and a locking device that is movable between a released position in which said locking device releases movement of the door leaf and a locked position in which said locking device counteracts movement of the door leaf. The locking device is provided with a locking element which stops at a contact surface of the guide rail when said locking device is moved into the locked position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2009
    Assignee: Hörmann KG Brockhagen
    Inventors: Thomas J. Hörmann, Herbert Brinkmann, Franz Kraft, Michael Brinkmann
  • Publication number: 20080256867
    Abstract: A window regulator includes at least one rail and at least one movable carriage for attachment to a movable window, each movable carriage movably attached to a respective rail for movement along the rail. A driving mechanism is attached to the movable carriage for moving the movable carriage along the rail in a regulated manner. An adjustable stop is attached to the rail, the adjustable stop positioned to engage a portion of the respective movable carriage/window assembly attached to that rail, to prevent further movement of the movable carriage/window assembly in one direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2007
    Publication date: October 23, 2008
    Inventors: Florian Meyer, Andreas Bauer
  • Publication number: 20080134582
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for braking the rotation of a drive shaft of the leaf of a high-speed door. The inventive device consists of a flange (17) which is rotated by a shaft comprising several cavities (19), each of said cavities being equipped with a wall which supports a flyweight (18) in the operating condition and which is inclined in relation to the axis of rotation of the flange by an angle of less than 90°. Moreover, each cavity comprises a proximal end which is located close to the axis of rotation of the flange and a distal end which is located at a distance from said axis of rotation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2006
    Publication date: June 12, 2008
    Applicant: NERGECO
    Inventor: Bernard Kraeutler
  • Patent number: 7350333
    Abstract: A brake device (1) is for use with a cable-operated door (3), such as garage doors (3) and the like. The device (1) is intended to reduce the risk of the door (3) falling, or at the very least slow down its descent, in the event of a failure in the counterbalancing mechanism of the door (3), which is generally represented by a loss of tension in a given tensioned cable (5) operating the door (3). The brake device (1) includes a support bracket (9), and a guiding assembly (15) and a braking assembly (17) mounted onto the support bracket (9).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: Canimex Inc.
    Inventors: Stephane Michaud, Pascal Provencher, Pierre-Louis Foucault
  • Patent number: 7287799
    Abstract: A tailgate counterbalancing hinge assembly includes a linear torque rod, a first end assembly and a second end assembly secured to the torque rod. A first end assembly pivotally supports the tailgate while permitting a torque rod end to be rigidly coupled to the tailgate for movement with the tailgate about a pivot axis. A second end assembly also pivotally supports the tailgate and permits the other end of the torque rod to be rigidly connected to the vehicle body. The first end assembly includes a bushing and split pivot body rotatably mounted within the bushing that creates increasing friction between the split pivot body and the bushing as the torque rod is twisted due to the tailgate being opened. The increasing friction creates a progressively increasing braking or dampening effect, which slows the free fall of the tailgate as it is opened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2007
    Assignee: M & C Corporation
    Inventor: Donald Mossom Austin
  • Patent number: 7114291
    Abstract: A door drop stop safety system which is adapted to be installed on existing building overhead doors which employ a central axle; slab doors, bifold doors, and rollup doors which contains structure for raising and lowering the the door including a rewind box including an inertia reel and a length of strap. The inertia reel allowing normal motion, but is adapted to lock as soon as a predetermined rate of rotation is reached due to the door beginning to free fall. The system includes structure means for mounting the rewind box on an existing door, including slab doors, bifold doors, and rollup doors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2006
    Assignee: Enterprise Safety Products I, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Kenneth David
  • Patent number: 7097003
    Abstract: A vertically sliding freight elevator landing door with a safety brake that deploys when a chain suspending the door breaks. The safety brake is adapted for use on both panels that slide up to open or that slide down to open. The brake, which is simple in construction and installation, comprises, principally, a caliber block fixed to the door and a roller cam assembled in the block. A spring biases the roller cam towards a wedge lock position while a cable normally holds the roller cam in an inactive position. The cable and, therefore, the roller cam are released when the associated door suspension chain breaks. The roller cam, operating between a tilted internal surface in the caliper block and a door guide rail quickly frictionally brakes the door on the guard rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2006
    Assignee: The Peelle Company Ltd.
    Inventors: Steven P. Reynolds, Richard W. Lajeunesse, Zygmunt Dziwak, David E. Kairis
  • Patent number: 7086441
    Abstract: A hydraulic governor device for use with a rotational shaft of a door assembly for controlling a rotation of said rotational shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2006
    Assignee: Canimex Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick Barriault, François Beaudoin, Danny Roy
  • Patent number: 7000354
    Abstract: A cable failure device for a cable-operated door operated by a tensioned cable, the cable-operated door having a movement guided along a fixed structure, such as a guide rail. The cable failure device is configured for cooperating with the tensioned cable so as to immobilize the cable-operated door with respect to the fixed structure in the event of a loss of tension in the cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2006
    Assignee: Canimex Inc.
    Inventors: Michel Beaudoin, Érik Nadeau, Pierre-Louis Foucault, Jean-François Lévesque
  • Patent number: 6986378
    Abstract: A braking device configured for use with the counterbalancing system of a garage door. The braking device includes a support bracket, a ratchet wheel, a pawl arm, and a biasing spring. The support bracket is rigidly connected to a fixed structure and has a guiding slot. The ratchet wheel is securely mounted about the overhead shaft of the counterbalancing system and has at least one notch. The pawl arm has first and second ends, the first end of the pawl arm being pivotally connected to the support bracket and the second end of the pawl arm cooperating with the guiding slot and being movable with respect to the support bracket along said guiding slot. The first and second ends of the pawl arm are further connected to flanges of a plug on either side of the overhead shaft. The biasing spring is operatively connected between the support bracket and the pawl arm so as to exert a biasing force for biasing the pawl arm towards the ratchet wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2006
    Assignee: Canimex Inc.
    Inventors: Michel Beaudoin, Erik Nadeau, Pierre-Louis Foucault, Jean-François Lévesque, Pascal Provencher, François Beaudoin
  • Patent number: 6862845
    Abstract: A drop-catch mechanism for preventing the door leaf of an overhead door from rapidly closing upon breakage of the balancing spring thereof. The drop-catch mechanism having an input member for coupling with the balancing spring of the overhead door, a ratchet wheel for coupling with a winding axle carrying the door leaf of the overhead door, a pawl, and a positive mechanical drive for moving the pawl from a free position that allows rotation of the ratchet wheel to a catching position that blocks rotation of the ratchet wheel, the positive mechanical drive being configured such that, in use, breakage of the balancing spring coupled to the input member causes the pawl to move from the free position to the catching position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2005
    Assignee: Flexi-Force, B.V.
    Inventor: Naud Schiks
  • Publication number: 20040182007
    Abstract: A cable failure device for a cable-operated door operated by a tensioned cable, the cable-operated door having a movement guided along a fixed structure, such as a guide rail. The cable failure device is configured for cooperating with the tensioned cable so as to immobilize the cable-operated door with respect to the fixed structure in the event of a loss of tension in the cable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2004
    Publication date: September 23, 2004
    Applicant: CANIMEX INC.
    Inventors: Michel Beaudoin, Erik Nadeau, Pierre-Louis Foucault, Jean-Francois Levesque
  • Patent number: 6715236
    Abstract: A door system including a door movable between a closed vertical position and an open horizontal position, a cable interconnected to said door near the bottom thereof, the cable extending along a vertical line adjacent the door and being normally, substantially taut, and an anti-drop assembly having a pawl pivotally supported on the door, a stop surface formed adjacent the door and a spring operable to urge the pawl toward engagement with the stop surface, wherein the pawl is oriented such that it rotates in a plane passing through the cable and placed in contact therewith such that the taut cable opposes the biasing force of the spring, whereby upon the cable going slack, the spring biases the pawl into engagement with the stop surface to decelerate the door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2004
    Assignee: Wayne-Dalton Corp.
    Inventor: Willis J. Mullet
  • Publication number: 20040055220
    Abstract: The present invention is a unitary device molded from rubber or other synthetic elastic materials and is lightweight and inexpensive to manufacture. The safety device has multi tasking capabilities to help protect children's fingers from a number of injurious situations i.e., patio sliding doors, sliding windows, swinging doors, sliding closet doors and the like.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2003
    Publication date: March 25, 2004
    Inventor: Rick Edward Lohman
  • Patent number: 6698558
    Abstract: A brake system for garage doors including a piston assembly movable within a longitudinal housing assembly and including a central through opening and a threaded bushing rigidly mounted to the piston assembly. A threaded axle is cooperatively received by the threaded bushing so that the rotation of the axle causes the piston assembly to move at a predetermined speed longitudinally within the housing assembly. Longitudinal connecting apertures permit the flow of fluid adjacent to the ends of the piston assembly to flow through. A flapper valve assembly is mounted to one of the ends of the piston assembly by a separating spring member. When the movement of the piston assembly exceeds a predetermined magnitude, the spring member is compressed eliminating the clearance and closing the connecting apertures. This prevents any additional flow and rotational movement of the threaded axle, which in turn is mechanically connected to the counterbalance axle of an opening and closing mechanism for garage doors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2004
    Inventor: Abelardo Caraballo
  • Patent number: 6679002
    Abstract: A reinforcing block for a closure tilt latch, comprising a body fastened in a closure track fastened to a frame, said body having a top and bottom and having a locking detent extending therein said locking detent providing a vertical face extending toward said top of said body from intermediate said top and bottom, the tilt latch being compatible with the vertical face of said locking detent, wherein when said latch engages said detent said block provides a reinforcement path to the closure frame to strengthen the loading capability of said closure and to reduce the risk of the latch from disengaging said track under loading which track would be subject to distortion had the block not been utilized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2004
    Assignee: 420820 Ontario Limited
    Inventors: John Robert Davies, Sean Davies, Sinnathamby Kupenthirarajan
  • Patent number: 6655088
    Abstract: An arrangement for monitoring a condition of a counterbalance torsion spring in an overhead door or gate and preventing the door or gate from accidentally slamming shut or dropping too rapidly when the spring fails. The arrangement includes a drum mounted on a shaft which transmits the torque of the spring to the drum. During normal operation a sensor and release assembly maintains a catcher in a inactive position and when the spring fails, the sensor and release assembly allows the catcher to move to an active position and engage a grabber disposed on an inside surface of the drum to block rotation of the drum and therefore movement of the door or gate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Assignee: Hörmann KG Brockhagen
    Inventor: Thomas J. Hörmann
  • Patent number: 6640496
    Abstract: A door system including, a door movable between a closed vertical position and an open horizontal position, a cable attached to the door and normally providing a counterbalancing force to the door, the cable extending along a vertical line adjacent the door and being normally substantially taut, and an anti-drop assembly having a pawl pivotally supported on the door and attached to the cable, a stop surface positioned adjacent to the door, and a spring operable to urge the pawl toward engagement with the stop surface, wherein when taut the cable opposes the biasing force of the spring and wherein upon the cable going slack the spring urges the pawl into engagement with the stop surface to decelerate the door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2003
    Assignee: Wayne-Dalton Corp.
    Inventor: Willis J. Mullet
  • Patent number: 6553716
    Abstract: A safety catch assembly is described in the environment of use of a vertical lift door panel. The preferred safety catch assembly in general includes: first and second brake members; an actuator assembly including a stay mechanism and a release mechanism; and, a biasing mechanism constructed and arranged to move the first and second brake members into braking positions, in response to a defined, selected, catastrophic failure. In general, the stay mechanism operates to maintain the first and second brake members in free or non-brake positions until the defined catastrophic failure occurs; and, the release mechanism operates to release the first and second brake members for movement into the braking positions, upon the defined catastrophic failure of the lift mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: Broncho Company
    Inventor: James A. Bruns
  • Publication number: 20030051409
    Abstract: A safety catch assembly is described in the environment of use of a vertical lift door panel. The preferred safety catch assembly in general includes: first and second brake members; an actuator assembly including a stay mechanism and a release mechanism; and, a biasing mechanism constructed and arranged to move the first and second brake members into braking positions, in response to a defined, selected, catastrophic failure. In general, the stay mechanism operates to maintain the first and second brake members in free or non-brake positions until the defined catastrophic failure occurs; and, the release mechanism operates to release the first and second brake members for movement into the braking positions, upon the defined catastrophic failure of the lift mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2001
    Publication date: March 20, 2003
    Applicant: Broncho Company dba Electric Power Door
    Inventor: James A. Bruns
  • Publication number: 20030051410
    Abstract: A vertically extensible mechanism for controlling displacement of a panel such as an advertising sign, moves the structure between vertically spaced raised and lowered positions. The mechanism comprises a pair of vertically oriented laterally spaced guide tracks each having two or more elongate track sections that are telescopically extensible. The panel is carried in a vertical orientation between the guide tracks which are anchored to a mounting to extend vertically thereon. The mounting can be an elevated one, e.g. in a roof structure, or in a building wall above a door opening, or a low level mounting, e.g. on a ground surface or floor. In an alternative arrangement that is particularly suitable for the provision of elevated display signs and banners, the guide tracks are dispensed with and the panel is supported on a plurality of flexible straps or the like which are wound around a shaft extending horizontally at an elevated location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2002
    Publication date: March 20, 2003
    Inventor: Hermel R. Cloutier
  • Publication number: 20030041520
    Abstract: A door system including, a door movable between a closed vertical position and an open horizontal position, a cable attached to the door and normally providing a counterbalancing force to the door, the cable extending along a vertical line adjacent the door and being normally substantially taut, and an anti-drop assembly having a pawl pivotally supported on the door and attached to the cable, a stop surface positioned adjacent to the door, and a spring operable to urge the pawl toward engagement with the stop surface, wherein when taut the cable opposes the biasing force of the spring and wherein upon the cable going slack the spring urges the pawl into engagement with the stop surface to decelerate the door.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2002
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Applicant: WAYNE-DALTON CORP.
    Inventor: Willis J. Mullet
  • Patent number: 6502356
    Abstract: There is described a profiled sash section for a window sash holding a window pane and intended for being installed in an outer frame of a blast resistant window. The sash section includes a main member enabling inter-engagement between the profiled sash member and the outer frame a window pane holding member for accommodating and securing an end portion of said window pane in the profiled sash member, and a reinforcing member designed to support the end portion of the window pane and to transmit blast pressure, if incidentally applied to the window pane, to the main member. For at least partially absorbing blast pressure energy applied to the window pane, the sash section is provided with damping means for deforming up to predetermined limit. Also described is a blast-resistant framework for a casement window, including the window sash assembled from the mentioned profiled sash sections and adapted for rigidly and air-tightly securing the window pane in the holders of the profiled sash members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2003
    Assignee: Arpal Aluminum Ltd.
    Inventor: Mordechay Emek
  • Publication number: 20020184824
    Abstract: A cable tension sensing apparatus is mounted on a wall having a door opening. The jack shaft garage door operator includes a drive unit having an electric motor for driving a jack shaft mounted above a door opening. A pull-up cable drum is connected to the jack shaft and has a multi-strand steel pull-up cable that may be payed out to lower a door or wound up to raise the door. The cable tension sensing apparatus includes a cable guide to retain the cable a substantially fixed distance from the wall and a spring driven cable follower which urges against the cable extending between the drum periphery and the cable guide. An alerting switch is connected to the cable follower and sends a signal indicating loss of cable tension when the cable follower moves beyond a predetermined distance. Additionally, the movement of the cable follower moves a door blocking arrangement to a position to block movement of the door when being raised without use of the motor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2002
    Publication date: December 12, 2002
    Applicant: The Chamberlain Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Phillip McCartney, Robert E. Dutka, Andrew Gavel, William Chen, Robert J. Olmsted
  • Patent number: 6279268
    Abstract: A cable failure device for a mobilizing a garage door in the event of a failure of one of the cables or one of the elements holding the cables is described. The cable failure device of the invention includes a support structure mounted on the cable operated door and includes a connection point onto which a tensioned cable is connected. A braking assembly is mounted onto the support structure and includes a casing mounted onto the support structure and a brake operable between a rest position and an operable position. The brake is movably mounted to the support structure and is located adjacent the outside of a fixed frame such as guide rails and is adapted to co-operate with a roller on the garage door so that a portion of the guide rail lies between the roller and the brake. A tension detector co-operating with the tension cable is provided for detecting a tension in the tension cable and an actuator is operatively connected to the tension detector and to the brake.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2001
    Assignee: Canimex, Inc.
    Inventors: Michel Beaudoin, Pierre-Louis Foucault, Stefano Bologna, Patrice Farella
  • Patent number: 6216401
    Abstract: There is described a profiled sash section for a window sash holding a window pane and intended for being installed in an outer frame of a blast resistant window. The sash section includes a main member enabling inter-engagement between the profiled sash member and the outer frame; a window pane holding member for accommodating and securing an end portion of said window pane in the profiled sash member, and a reinforcing member designed to support the end portion of the window pane and to transmit blast pressure, if incidentally applied to the window pane, to the main member. For at least partially absorbing blast pressure energy applied to the window pane, the sash section is provided with damping means for deforming up to a predetermined limit. Also described is a blast-resistant framework for a casement window, including the window sash assembled from the mentioned profiled sash sections and adapted for rigidly and air-tightly securing the window pane in the holders of the profiled sash members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2001
    Assignee: Arpal Aluminum Ltd.
    Inventor: Mordechay Emek
  • Patent number: 6189266
    Abstract: The mechanism comprises a bracket, to which are mounted a fixed roller shaft and a rotatable brake shaft. The roller shaft has a roller which runs in the door track. A cylindrical torsion spring is positioned on the brake shaft. One end of the spring is anchored to the brake shaft. The other end of the spring is connected to a tensioning ring, so that the tension of the spring can be adjusted. The tensioning ring is disengagably secured to the bracket. An arm protrudes from the brake shaft. The lift cable for the door extends through an eye carried by the arm. As long as the cable is taut, the brake shaft is prevented from turning. At its outer end, the brake shaft carries a cam member with braking teeth. The teeth are positioned to bite into the exterior surface of the track if the cable breaks and the spring rotates the brake shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Inventor: Arthur A. Mihalcheon
  • Patent number: 6079524
    Abstract: An automatic stop mechanism for a rolling door includes two brake members mounted to the stop member which is removably engaged with the fixture, the stop member having a flange disengagably contacting the inclined flange to normally stop the rolling door, a handle pivotally connected to the fixture and connected to the first member and the second member so as to shift the stop member along the shaft of the motor, the two brake members each having a brake pad and located within the motor casing, when the rolling door runs downwardly fast and the normal stop mechanism fails, the two brake members are expanded due to the eccentric force to stop the door by the two brake pads contacting the motor casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2000
    Inventor: Jin-Shan Hung
  • Patent number: 6070641
    Abstract: An automatically braking mechanism for a rolling door system is used in connection with en elongate support shaft for selectively rolling up or lowering the rolling door formed of a series of connected slats. A driven wheel is fixed on the support shaft and a motor drive is provided for driving a chain drive sprocket wheel and a continuous roller chain couples the drive and driven sprocket wheels. The roller chain normally moves along a predetermined path prior to failure of the roller chain when the roller chain is under tension. A braking mechanism includes a first elongate sensing arm pivotally mounted at one end and carries a follower roller at the other end which is normally in direct contact wit the roller chain. A second elongate actuator arm is integrally formed with the sensing arm so as to be pivotally mounted for sharing common angular movements with the sensing arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2000
    Inventor: Fred Budetti
  • Patent number: 6042158
    Abstract: A drop-catch mechanism for a vertically movable door is provided for preventing the free-fall of the door in doorway guides when a counterbalancing mechanism for the door malfunctions and a tensioning member for the counterbalancing mechanism becomes slack or loses tension. The drop-catch mechanism includes a plunger element, disposed within the door adjacent one of the lateral edges thereof. The plunger element is movable between a retracted position and an extended position where the outboard end extends from within the door and engages a guide. The drop-catch mechanism also includes an actuator crank having a portion rotatably mounted within the door, and operably coupled through a camming element to the plunger element, and having a portion extending through an aperture in the door face with a rotatable external leg coupled to the tensioning member for maintaining the plunger element in the retracted position. When the tensioning member is taut, it biases the plunger element to the retracted position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2000
    Assignee: Rite-Hite Holding Corporation
    Inventor: John R. Horn
  • Patent number: RE40001
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2008
    Assignee: The Chamberlain Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark D. Siegler, James S. Chang, David J. Miller