Abstract: A brake member for a slide gate mechanism which includes a slanted drive mechanism engaging face adapted to engage at least one drive wheel of the drive mechanism for the slide gate so as to gradually brake the gate.The preferably a pair of opposed drive wheels are adapted to frictionally engage a drive rail on a gate so as to provide a slide gate mechanism. The pair of opposed wheels are spring biased toward the railing to ensure adequate frictional engagement with the rail. Limit switches are disposed to deactivate operation of the drive mechanism and a pair of brake members are disposed so as to positive a slanted drive mechanism engaging face toward the drive wheels of the drive mechanism such that when utilized the brake member operates to gradually brake the gate as the slanted drive mechanism engaging face engages at least one of the drive wheels.

Abstract: A sash counterbalance device for a fume hood including a first cable having a first end and a second end, the first end being secured on the left side of a fume hood sash and wherein a first counterweight is secured on the second end of the first cable; a second cable having a first end and a second end, the first end of the second cable being secured on the right side of the sash, and wherein a second counterweight is secured on the second end of the second cable; and an axle which is mounted on the fume hood. The first and second cables are individually, separably, and concentrically wrapped about the axle such that movement of the sash causes a simultaneous movement of the axle by movement of the counterweights axle in a predetermined direction.

Abstract: Control systems including control circuitry and optional communications systems for operating a sliding 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.

Abstract: A door system of the swivel-sliding type for use in a vehicle, suitable in particular for a vehicle for public transport, the door system comprising at least one door panel; suspension means for the at least one door panel, which comprise a telescopic guide; and a drive system for the at least one door panel, wherein the drive system comprises at least one piston-cylinder assembly of which a first movable part is connected to the telescopic guide via a system of arms and rods so as to cause the telescopic guide in operation to perform a plugging movement, while a second part of the piston-cylinder assembly is provided with a projection extending into a track having a first section extending substantially transverse to the at least one door panel and an adjoining section extending substantially parallel to the telescopic guide, the projection forming a part of a pantograph construction mounted between a fixed pivot point and a point of attachment on the door panel, said pantograph construction transmitting the

Abstract: A high speed door assembly, comprising an actuator cylinder and piston rods, a pressure supply cylinder and fittings, an electrically detonated explosive bolt, a honeycomb structured door, a honeycomb structured decelerator, and a structural steel frame encasing the assembly to close over a 3 foot diameter opening within 50 milliseconds of actuation, to contain hazardous materials and vapors within a test fixture.

Abstract: An automatic door operating system for a motor vehicle is shown. The system comprises a door closing device which includes an electric motor and a latch plate actuator. The system further includes a control device which, when a latch plate position detecting switch detects a half-latch condition of a latch plate of a door lock device, energizes the motor to run in one direction to turn the latch plate toward a full-latch position and which, when the latch plate position detecting switch detects a full-latch condition of the latch plate, energizes the motor to run in the other direction to turn the latch plate toward a releasing position and which, when a return recognition switch detects the latch plate actuator having returned to its rest position, stops the rotation of the motor in the other direction. The control device includes a control timer which energizes the motor to run in the other direction for a predetermined time from the time on which the control device is energized.

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

Abstract: Control systems including control circuitry and optional communications systems for operating a sliding 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.

Abstract: A system for automatically opening and closing horizontal covers over standard inspection pit. The system comprises two grates mounted on wheels, the wheels engaging two parallel tracks attached to opposite sides of the pit. An electric motor powers the grates upon command to either move away from each other to an open position to expose the pit, or to move toward each other to a closed position to cover the pit. The system is equipped with both audible and visual warning devices which automatically activate upon movement of the grates. Also, the leading edges of the grates have sensors which cause the grates to stop and retract upon detection of a foreign object caught therebetween.

Abstract: A chain guide is provided for the otherwise unsupported upper run of the endless roller chain of a motor-driven garage door operator. With the chain loop in a vertical plane, the chain guide takes the form of a trough having at its bottom an upstanding central ridge which supports the chain by its rollers and with the links clear of contact with the floor and sides of the trough. The chain guide is supported indirectly by the trackage of the door operator, being mounted upon the fixed rail spacer of one form and carried upon the movable trolley of the other.

Abstract: This specification discloses an automatic linear-motor-type driving apparatus for doors applied to windows, walls, opening portions as doorways of houses or vehicles, and the like.

Abstract: The automatic door assembly includes a rail, a door carriage movably provided on the rail, a driving unit for moving the door carriage, a rechargeable battery unit for supplying electric power to operate the driving unit and a circuit for electrically connecting the rechargeable battery unit and the driving unit. It also has a charging unit for timely charging of the rechargeable battery unit and a device for stopping the door carriage automatically at the open and closed positions.

Abstract: A door drive device is disclosed, which comprises a guide rail for defining in the body of the vehicle a way along which the slide door moves; first and second pulleys arranged at spaced positions of the vehicle body; an electric drive unit for driving the first pulley; an endless belt put around the first and second pulleys with a slack thereof; a bracket for connecting a portion of the endless belt to the door; and a tensioning device for tensioning the endless belt. Due to provision of the slack of the belt, various advantages are obtained particularly when the door drive device of the invention is used in combination with other door controllers.

Abstract: A half-latch and full-latch detecting device for an automotive slide door operating system is shown, which comprises:a power feeding start position detecting switch which becomes operated when the door under closing movement comes to a given position just before a half-latch position of the door at which half-latch position a latch plate of a door lock device assumes a half-latch position;a latch plate position detecting switch having a probe which is contactable with an open lever when the open lever is pivotally moved, the open lever being rotatable with a latch pawl which can latch the latch pawl at the half-latch and full-latch positions;a counter circuit electrically connected to both the power feeding start position detecting switch and the latch plate position detecting switch, the counter circuit counting the number of times by which the open lever contacts the probe of the latch plate position detecting switch after the power feeding start position detecting switch is operated; anda judging circuit f

Abstract: A power window assembly for a rear window opening of a truck cab has a pair of stationary window panes spaced apart and securely mounted in the rear window opening and defining therebetween a center window opening. First and second movable window panes are slidably located in the rear window opening and adapted for sliding movement toward each other to a closed position where the panes abut each other closing the center window opening and away from each other to an opened position overlying at least a portion of the stationary window panes thereby opening the center window opening. A reversible electric motor has a primary drive gear for generating rotary motion of the primary drive gear. A tape having a plurality of slots engaging and driven by the primary drive gear is connected to the first movable window so that the first movable window pane moves between the closed position and the opened position.

Abstract: A window operator, located at one side of the window, opens or closes the sash without jamming. The operator includes three structural extrusions:the track, of rectangular cross-section;the traveler, of H-cross-section; andthe crank housing, of seven-sided cross-section.The track is roughly equivalent to the window opening height in length, and has a longitudinal gap with smoothed edges. The crank housing, open at the base, has two sides angled to the vertical so as to present parallel faces for mounting the crankshaft, and has three screw bosses. The track has locating holes providing a location at the top for an idler pulley, has an interior side routed out at the base to accept the sprocket, and has an exterior location at the base for a sprocket shaft bearing. A sprocket shaft and sprocket are mounted within the track. A toothed belt about the sprocket and the idler pulley is driven by a sprocket shaft and is attached to a polyvinyl chloride H-cross-section traveler captured by the gap in the track.

Abstract: An automatic door operating system for a motor vehicle is shown.

Abstract: A sliding door in a van is mounted on tracks for sliding movement between open and closed positions. At the closed position a weather strip is compressed and a door latch is latched. A cable is attached to the door and routed through the vehicle body via pulleys so that pulling the first cable end opens the door and pulling the second cable end closes the door. A motorized drive mechanism includes first and second reels mounted concentrically and having the cable ends wrapped respectively about the reels in opposite directions. A motor drives in one direction rotating the first reel to open the door and is reversible to rotate the second reel to close the door.

Abstract: A sliding door with two for example panels coupled with a belt-drive mechanism driven in turn by a motor. The panels are also connected to an auxiliary drive mechanism that is provided with energy by the panel as it slides into a closed position and that can move the panel when the clutch is deprived of current. At least one programming switch, a motion sensor, and a limit switch activate regular controls that move the panel automatically. Self-monitoring additional electronic controls constitute a door-safety module.The object is to monitor the opening of the door in response to a signal from the motion sensor and to allow self-testing of the function of the auxiliary drive mechanism and ensure inherent reliability of the door-opening monitoring process. A door-safety module is controlled in accordance with a program and has at least one motion sensor and one limit switch associated with it.

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.

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.

Abstract: An electrically powered pet door assembly for use in a home or building. Each assembly includes a frame which is secured to an exterior surface of a building, a panel slidably mounted within parallel tracks of the frame, a rotatable and translational drive assembly for vertically raising the panel, a centrifugal brake for controlling the speed of the vertical opening or closing of the panel and a treadle for activating the rotational and translational drive assembly.

Abstract: An obstruction detecting reversing apparatus is disclosed for a motor driven device, such as a powered vehicle door or window system, wherein the device undergoes varying loads, and consequently varying current draws, during normal operation. In order to accurately detect the presence of an obstruction, in light of such normally varying currents, the apparatus circuit logic monitors instantaneous motor current and compares it with the time average of motor current over a very short preceding time interval, which "tracks" normal current draw in order to sense an obstruction-caused rise in motor current at virtually any stage of the door closing operation, and thus also accommodates normal changes in current draw caused by different gravity effects when the device is oriented in different grade-caused orientations.

Abstract: A sliding door in a van is mounted on tracks for sliding movement between open and closed positions. At the closed position a weather strip is compressed and a door latch is latched. A cable is attached to the door and routed through the vehicle body via pulleys so that pulling the first cable end opens the door and pulling the second cable end closes the door. A motorized drive mechanism includes first and second reels mounted concentrically and having the cable ends wrapped respectively about the reels in opposite directions. A motor drives in one direction rotating the first reel to open the door and is reversible to rotate the second reel to close the door.

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.

Abstract: A sliding type vehicle roof is provided having guide tubes for pressure-resistant drive cables that are positioned, in the zone of contact area between the drive cables and a drive device, in a sheathing part that is formed about the guide tubes and acts as a holding device for the guide tubes. In the sheathing part, there is provided at least one recess to accommodate a drive pinion of the drive device, and a central opening in the base of the recess for accurately locating the drive pinion. Further, the sheathing part functions as a support for the drive device, that is suitably attached to the sheathing part with the aid of screws, and a defined seat can be provided on the sheathing part to receive the top housing part of the drive device. The sheathing part with the drive thereon can be attached to the frame, which can be set into a roof opening of a vehicle roof.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an automatic door operating system for use in a motor vehicle having a vehicle body and a movable door.

Abstract: An electromechanical parking brake system is provided including an electric driving gear motor connected with a parking brake cable track member by a releasable connection, preferably in the form of a pawl and ratchet arrangement. In accordance with one feature of the invention, a manually-operable override device is provided for disengaging the pawl from the ratchet, thereby to disconnect the electric drive motor. According to another feature, the pawl is automatically disengaged from the ratchet when the cable track member is in the brake-released condition, so that a cable-tensioning device is actuated to remove slack from the parking brake cable.

Abstract: An adapter unit for mechanically driven doors of the type such as garage doors are driven by a motor and guided at the sides thereof by guide rails mounted to a frame that defines the door opening. The adapter unit comprises an elongated member adapted to be mounted to the back side of the door receiving channel of one of the guide rails. The elongated member defines an elongated inverted U-shaped channel in which a chain is slidably received. A sprocket is rotatably mounted in the elongated member within a circular recess defined in the channel for engagement with the chain. The sprocket is further adapted to centrally engage a shaft of the motor to thus rotate therewith. A door drive mechanism is mounted at one end of the chain and is adapted to be removably coupled to a bracket provided on an inner lower part of the door. The sprocket and chain are adapted to remain engaged between the two extreme positions of the chain which correspond with the open and closed positions of the door.

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.

Abstract: An electromagnetic communication interface including two units each of which contains a coil and associated circuit means. One of the units also includes a core positioned within the coil of that unit and having a free end which may be inserted into the coil of the other unit. When this is done, a magnetic flux link is provided between the two coils and the two circuit means may communicate with one another. The first unit may be mounted on a vehicle body and the second unit on a sliding door of the vehicle. It may be arranged for the magnetic flux link to be formed when the door is closed. A "door-open" signal, generated, for example, by a passenger pressing a push button on the door, may be transmitted via the magnetic flux link to a door opening mechanism mounted on the vehicle body.

Abstract: A guide plate has at the front and rear ends thereof a pair of guide rail portions on which a pair of sliders are movably mounted for guiding movement of a door glass. The guide plate also mounts thereon a drive unit for driving the door glass at a point located between the sliders.

Abstract: A dryer door mechanism for the opening, closing and sealing of an opening to a dryer enclosure. The door mechanism has a movable door in rolling engagement with a pair of tracks affixed to a door frame. The tracks of the door frame are angularly disposed from both the plane of the enclosure opening and the plane of the movable door. The movable door, while rolling along its track, simultaneously moves perpendicular and parallel to the plane of the enclosure opening. When moved to the closed position, the movable door becomes wedged against the enclosure opening thereby providing a force perpendicular to the opening of the enclosure for creating an airtight seal.

Abstract: A door system for an opening separating two areas that contain a primate with the primate being able to control by switches connected to the operating system for opening and closing the door to dictate his ingress and egress between the areas. The caretaker can override the switches controlled by the primate. A hydraulically driven piston, operable through a fluid control cylinder containing a spool valve, raises and lowers the door to close and open the opening. Fluid exhausted from the system by the movements of the piston is discharged upon the floor of one of the areas to keep it clean.

Abstract: A door operator having a fluid drive motor and a manual override. The bidirectional hydraulic motor connects to a drive shaft through a power train including a shiftable --quill--type manual clutch mechanism which allows an alternate connection of the drive shaft to a manually-operated wheel. When the cable which shifts the clutch for manual drive is pulled, a switch disables the control for the hydraulic motor. When the motor is not provided with pressured fluid from the pump a hydraulic brake engages the motor.

Abstract: A vehicle door assembly having a frameless window and a window guide and lift module arrangement which includes a pair of side pin guides slidably guided in a pair of guide channels and a collapsible central guide means which extends when the window is raised to provide a connection point located beneath the bottom edge of the window to stabilize the same when in its closed position but which is collapsible when the window is lowered to allow it to be fully received within the door assembly.

Abstract: An exterior swing-out and sliding door for vehicles, especially motor vehicles, in which the door panel travels on a roller carriage along a track on the outer wall of the vehicle approximately between the horizontal midpoint and the lower longitudinal edge of the panel, in which additional guides are positioned in the vicinity of the upper and/or lower longitudinal edge of the door panel, and which has a drive mechanism with a motor that drives by way of a driving roller a continuous, flexible, linear transmission that extends around pulleys, that is fastened at one point along its circumference to the roller carriage, and that has its driving strand positioned along the track.

Abstract: An actuator for a vent in a vehicle includes a motor actuated by a dashboard mounted switch. In a first embodiment, a slider is received for reciprocal linear movement along a guide track mounted adjacent the vent. A first end of an actuating arm is pivotally connected to the slider and a second end is pivotally connected to the vent. A drive cable is supported by a pair of pulleys mounted at opposite ends of the guide track. A DC permanent magnet motor is connected for rotating one of the pulleys in opposite directions. A capacitor is selectively connected by a relay for discharge through the motor to actuate the vent. A three position switch has a first position for charging the capacitor in a first polarity, a second position for charging the capacitor to an opposite polarity and a third position for energizing the relay to discharge the capacitor through the motor.

Abstract: A power drive system for opening and closing the sliding side door of a van type vehicle includes an inclination detector controlled control circuit for adjustably regulating the closing force applied to the door in approximate proportion to the inclination of the vehicle to provide sufficient power to close the door when the vehicle is parked on an uphill grade while providing a reduced amount of power to close the door when the vehicle is on level ground.

Abstract: A lock-out trolley for a garage door has a first trolley member having body and a pair of pivot pins connected thereto. A latch arm, pivotally mounted on the pivot pins, has a trolley engaging member for selectively engaging a second trolley member. A cardioid shaped aperture in the latch arm engages one of the pivot pins and may lock the latch arm out of engagement with the second trolley member. A spring biases the latch toward its engaged position.

Abstract: A window actuating system, especially in a motor vehicle, including a guide rail, an entrainment device for a window glass plate supported at the guide rail, a force transmission member engaging at the entrainment device, a drive member for the force transmission member attached to the guide rail and selectably with a manual drive unit arranged to be remote from the guide rail or a motorized drive unit coupled with the drive member, the drive member being provided with a reverse brake, especially a wrap around spring brake, and the motorized drive unit being attached directly at the drive member or at the drive rail in the region of the drive member.

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.

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.

Abstract: Controlled vertically swinging exit gates for milking parlor stalls having resilient control devices for lowering the gates in a smooth and controlled manner and to stop jerking downward or upward movement of the gate upon opening and closing, comprising two horizontally movable pulleys fastened to a draw-bar which actuates opposing cables to smoothly control operation of the gates.

Abstract: A security enclosure includes an access gate comprising at least one rigid barrier which can be retracted or advanced by remotely-actuated power means for opening and closing the gate. A support and drive structure which supports the driven end of the barrier includes upper drive means which provide positive drive connections to an upper surface of the barrier through downward pressure on at least two laterally-separated points and corresponding lower drive means which provide positive drive connections to a lower surface of the barrier and support the barrier on at least two laterally-separated points, with the upper and lower drive means being driven by a common power source and connecting drive means to open and close the gate. Remote switching means are provided to operate the drive means and latch means to open and close the gate. The upper and lower drive means can be rollers driven by belt drives.

Abstract: A driving device employed in a window regulator comprising: a driving member including a shaft and an associating member having at least a notch portion; a drum adjacent to said associating member and having an associating projection capable of associating with said notch portion with some play in the rotational direction; and an elastic member urging said associating member in the rotational direction. The shaking of the crank lever can be surely inhibited.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and a method of the utilization of the same of a tape drive window regulator with a counterbalance. The counterbalance decreases the amount of torque required for the winder to raise the window glass. An embodiment of the present invention provides a window regulator wherein the drive tape is always in a tension mode.

Abstract: To provide flow of grain controlled in amount and direction, an end gate for a truck comprises an end gate body adapted to be fastened to the end panel of a truck having three vertically slidable door panels in it and a single lever operated drive plate. Each of the door panels includes a separate latch by which it is connected to the drive plate. The door panels are mounted in parallel track members with cut-away portions and a member extending upwardly from the bottom edge of the door panel when the door panel is in its uppermost position to hold the lower portion of the door panels. The latches include hinges movable from a location over an L-shaped flange on the longitudinally extending drive plate and away from said longitudinally extending plate and the latch cam may be moved to engage the hinge and press it against said longitudinally extending plate for connecting said drive means to said door panel.

Abstract: A door assembly with a frameless window has a window regulator mechanism for raising and lowering the window and which includes a guide arrangement for stabilizing the window in all directions when being raised and lowered and which causes the upper end of the window to be moved away from its associated seal and the lower end thereof to be moved toward the inner door panel about a belt line pivot point upon being lowered while simultaneously causing the window to be moved longitudinally of the door, and vice versa, upon the window being lowered and raised, respectively.

Abstract: An attachment for readily connecting and disconnecting a tensioned cable of a cable drive window regulator mechanism to a movable window of a vehicle door assembly comprises a ferrule secured to the cable which is guided for movement in opposite directions along a guide track and a slider or sash plate which is molded to the window and slidably supported on the guide rail. The sash plate has an integrally molded boss portion defining a ferrule receiving pocket and a through slot to enable the cable to be pulled therethrough against its tension bias and the sash plate to then be positioned behind the ferrule to align the pocket with the ferrule whereupon the cable can be released and with the tension bias causing the ferrule to be moved within the pocket to drivingly connect the same to the sash plate.