Rack Or Screw Parallel To Closure Guide Patents (Class 49/362)
  • Patent number: 5946859
    Abstract: A motion control system controls the linear motion of a safety gate or other object, to prevent its skewing or binding, by two inter-connecting (meshed) gears, which also connect with (are respectively meshed with) two spaced apart, parallel, linear gear racks. The two gears extend between and interconnect the two gear racks, so that all four components are geared together, and have the same gear pitch. This forces the two spaced apart gear racks to track and move in lock-step with one another in a direction of motion aligned with and parallel to the gear racks, thus insuring linear movement of the member being moved (the safety gate here) irrespective of where on the member the moving member is pushed, pulled or otherwise acted on, i.e., even off-center, and without requiring critical edge guide channels, tracks, or the like. In this example a simple solenoid moves the safety gate with consistently low force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1999
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: William E. Kramer, William R. Klimley
  • Patent number: 5936842
    Abstract: The invention takes as its departure point a housing (10) for receiving electric drives (16, 18, 20), in particular garage-door drives, and/or the controls (24, 26) thereof, which housing exhibits at least two housing parts (12, 14). Provision is made on the housing parts for a latching device (34, 52, 68, 110) and guide elements (108, 112) for the reliable connection of the housing parts (12, 14) and for latching-in and retaining functional components (22, 28, 78) and/or circuit boards (24, 26) for the controls. Consequently, a structure with few individual parts and simple mounting and demounting is achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1999
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Norbert Kaiser, Bernhard Siegwart, Peter Grabandt, Matthias Spaeth
  • Patent number: 5893242
    Abstract: A shutter assembly for installation on the outside of a building wall including one or two shutter panels fitted with top and bottom rollers moveable along tracks in a plane outwardly spaced from and parallel to the external wall. A rack is carried by each panel inside thereof and a pinion, meshing with this rack, is carried by a shaft extending through the wall and provided at its inner end, inside a building room with a crank wheel for moving the shutter panels between opened and closed position at the side and in front of a window opening respectively. The shutter panels are heat-insulated and are provided with seals to extend around the periphery of the window opening when the panels are in closed position to thereby form an air insulating chamber with a window unit within the window opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 13, 1999
    Inventor: Jocelyn Perron
  • Patent number: 5826377
    Abstract: A mechanism for the powered opening and closing of household panels such as windows and doors comprises a worm drive screw, small enough to be mounted within and along the upper track of a sliding panel. A nut threaded on the drive screw moves axially along the screw when the screw is rotated. Motion of the nut is transmitted to the panel by means of a coupling bolt, slidingly mounted within a cavity in the top of the panel. The bolt slides up to engage the nut for powered operation, and slides down to disengage from the nut during manual operation. The position of the bolt can be secured through locking means. A resilient, dielectric transmission accouplement between the drive screw and the motor provides electrical and vibrational isolation, and scalability. A second extendible bolt mounted on an opposite end of the frame hinders pitch deflection of the panel during powered operation. Worm gearing and a solenoid based brake locks the motor and the position of the nut when no power is applied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1998
    Inventors: Anton K. Simson, Todd A. Simson
  • Patent number: 5806244
    Abstract: A window regulator system generally comprises a first pinion rotatably driven by a motor. The first pinion is mounted between a first rack and a rotatable second pinion. The second pinion is rotatably mounted between the first pinion and a second rack. Teeth on the first pinion engage the first rack and simultaneously drive the second pinion to engage the second rack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1998
    Assignee: UT Automotive Dearborn, Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher R. Tilli
  • Patent number: 5787644
    Abstract: An automotive vehicle door assembly includes a door window mechanism which is powered by an electric motor. The electric motor is located within the body of the vehicle and not within the door assembly to simplify the construction of the door assembly and allow for additional structure to support side impact loading. The drive motor and the door window mechanism include driving and driven fittings, respectively, which engage when the vehicle door is closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1998
    Inventor: H. J. Thomsen, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5761850
    Abstract: A garage door operator having reduced noise output during operation includes a head unit having a housing. A motor mount is connected to the housing to support an electric motor. A vibration damper is interposed between the motor mount and the electric motor to reduce noise radiated from the housing when the electric motor is energized to drive a garage door up and down.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1998
    Assignee: The Chamberlain Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Roger W. Lhotak, Kenneth J. Dombrowski
  • Patent number: 5755059
    Abstract: A powered sliding door system for a vehicle can include a flexible cable having at least one helically wound gear tooth formed on a flexible core or an elongated tape with longitudinally spaced apertures, for generally longitudinal movement along a fixed path. The tape or cable can have a first longitudinally disposed end connected to a movable closure, such as a vehicle sliding door, window, or roof panel. A rotatable drive member drivingly engages the cable or tape intermediate the first and second longitudinal ends. A reversible motor powers the rotation of the rotatable member. A clutch in the form of an axially shiftable transmission gear is operable to selectively interconnect the motor to the rotatable drive member, such that actuation of the motor and engagement of the clutch will cause the rotatable drive member to move the cable or tape longitudinally for opening and closing the portal with the movable closure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1998
    Assignee: ITT Automotive Electrical Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: William W. Schap
  • Patent number: 5746025
    Abstract: A slide door operating device for a motor vehicle comprises a guide track horizontally mounted to an outer surface of a vehicle body panel. A door carrying device is movable along the guide track and connected to a slide door. An electric power device is mounted in the vehicle and has a drive pulley. The vehicle body panel has a single opening. Two cables are joined to constitute a loop which extends from the power device, goes out to the outside of the vehicle body panel through the single opening, extends in and around the guide track and comes back to the power device through the single opening. The loop travels in one direction when the drive pulley is driven in one direction and travels in the other direction when the drive pulley is driven in the other direction. A given portion of the loop is connected to the door carrying device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1998
    Assignee: Ohi Seisakusho Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ryoji Shimura
  • Patent number: 5711185
    Abstract: The invention relates to apparatus for driving a door or the like guided in t least two guides using a drive (1) located in a channel formed as a guide track (2) and which consists of at least one turn-around pinion (5), a chain extending over drive pinion (4) and turn-around pinion (5) and at least one carrier element for a door panel or the like attached to the chain. A structurally simple apparatus which is installable in simple manner is achieved by forming the drive pinion (4), the turn-around pinion (5) and the chain together with the guide track (2) as completely preassembled unit (1).(FIG.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 27, 1998
    Assignee: Marantec Antriebs - und Steuerungstechnik GmbH & Co. Produktions KG
    Inventor: Michael Hormann
  • Patent number: 5680729
    Abstract: A system for opening and closing a gate or door which includes a sprocket and a perforated rigid strip of material. The perforated rigid strip of material is mounted to the gate or door. The sprocket is positioned so that the teeth of the sprocket will engage the perforations in the rigid strip. Therefore, when the sprocket is rotated the rigid strip will be moved by the sprocket thus causing the gate or door to open or close.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 28, 1997
    Assignee: The Pickwick Corporation
    Inventor: Rodger T. Heffington
  • Patent number: 5669181
    Abstract: A power window assembly in a vehicle includes first and second slidable window panes mounted to the vehicle for movement in opposing lateral directions towards each other to a closed position and away from each other to an open position. A first pair of connector arms is operatively connected to the first window pane and a second pair of connector arms is operatively connected to the second window pane. A power drive mechanism engages the connector arms and selectively pulls one of the connector arms of the first pair and one of the connector arms of the second pair away from each other to pull the window panes towards the open position and selectively pulls the other of the connector arms of the first pair and the other of the connector arms of the second pair towards each other for pulling the window panes towards the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 23, 1997
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Craig Anthony Kollar, Donald Szerlag, William Charles Lajack
  • Patent number: 5664372
    Abstract: A garage door operator is disclosed to have a front coupling for a threaded screw of the operator and the rotor of the motor. The coupling includes a first coupling device that is a unitary coupling member with opposing recesses for receiving each of the rotor shaft and an end portion of the screw. The unitary coupling member thereby connects the screw to the motor for torque transmission from the motor. The second coupling device includes a thrust containment device that is supported on the screw, and an intermediate assembly disposed between the thrust containment device and an end portion of the guide rail of the door operator. A retainer component of the intermediate assembly restricts expansion of the thrust containment device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 9, 1997
    Assignee: GMI Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory Ernest Williams, James Allen White, Nicholas A. Dragomir, James William Stottsberry
  • Patent number: 5644869
    Abstract: A power drive moves a movable closure between an open position and a closed position with respect to a portal defining a passage through a barrier. The power drive can include an elongated drive member connected to the movable closure and a ball nut drive assembly for selectively moving the drive member longitudinally to position the movable closure between the open position and the closed position with respect to the passage through the barrier. The barrier can define at least a portion of a stationary structure or a vehicle, where the passage allows access within the structure or the vehicle. The movable closure can include a sliding door, hatch, window, roof panel or the like. The elongated drive member can be a compound drive member having at least one gear or tooth-like member extending helically around in uniformly spaced turns about a core of the drive member to form a rigid or resilient screw-like portion capable of being driven by operable engagement with the recirculating ball nut drive assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 8, 1997
    Assignee: ITT Automotive Electrical Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Harry C. Buchanan, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5634298
    Abstract: There is disclosed an electro-mechanical door opening and closing device which is adapted to be retro-fitted onto an existing manually operated sliding door system. The sliding door system has a stationary panel and a movable panel and the system is installed in a wall of a building. A stationary portion includes the stationary panel, the door frame and the building adjacent to the door frame. The device includes a reversible motor, a bracket or handle and a control system. The reversible motor is attachable to one of the stationary portion and the movable panel. The bracket is attachable to the other of the stationary portion and the movable panel. The device includes a threaded rod operably connected to the reversible motor such that the rod may be rotated clockwise and counterclockwise. The rod is also movably connected to the bracket and rotation of the rod clockwise and counterclockwise causes the bracket to move towards and away from the motor thereby opening and closing the sliding panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 3, 1997
    Assignee: 1101939 Ontario, Inc.
    Inventor: Herbert N. Slopack
  • Patent number: 5605013
    Abstract: A programmable automatic window including a hollow frame with an aperture disposed therethrough; a window slidably secured within the aperture of the frame; a ball screw mechanism disposed within the frame and coupled to the window; a motor coupled to the ball screw mechanism and energizable with a positive polarity to cause rotation of the ball screw mechanism for allowing the window to be raised and energizable with a negative polarity to cause opposite rotation of the ball screw mechanism for allowing the window to be lowered; and motor logic switch circuitry for controlling the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 25, 1997
    Inventor: Timothy W. Hogston
  • Patent number: 5568704
    Abstract: A garage door operator is disclosed to have a front coupling for a threaded screw of the operator and the rotor of the motor. The coupling includes a first coupling device that is a unitary coupling member with opposing recesses for receiving each of the rotor shaft and an end portion of the screw. The unitary coupling member thereby connects the screw to the motor for torque transmission from the motor. The second coupling device includes a thrust containment device that is supported on the screw, and an intermediate assembly disposed between the thrust containment device and an end portion of the guide rail of the door operator. A retainer component of the intermediate assembly restricts expansion of the thrust containment device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 29, 1996
    Assignee: GMI Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory E. Williams, James A. White, Nicholas A. Dragomir, James W. Stottsberry
  • Patent number: 5557888
    Abstract: An open-and-close control device for a horizontally slidable vehicle door fitted with a lock that includes a horizontal endless screw rotatably, movably held within a rail fixed to a vehicle body adjacent the vehicle door, and adapted to be rotated by a rotary electric motor. The horizontal endless screw engages a threaded aperture in a slide translationally movable in the rail, wherein the slide is connected by a single connecting rod to an inner arm positioned on the vehicle door. The arm is oriented towards an inside of the vehicle body such that the single connecting rod is at an angle of less than about 25.degree. to the horizontal endless screw. Opening the vehicle door is initiated by a substantially outward transverse translation of at least part of the vehicle door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 24, 1996
    Inventors: Rene Ruchat, Bernard Planche, Jean Roch
  • Patent number: 5531046
    Abstract: A power window assembly in a vehicle includes a slidable window pane mounted to the vehicle for movement in a first lateral direction to an open position and in a second lateral direction to a closed position. The power window assembly further includes first and second mounting brackets securely attached to the window pane and each having a pocket therein. The power window assembly also includes a power drive mechanism for selectively moving the window pane between the closed position and the open position. The power drive mechanism includes first and second connector arms each laterally coupled to the first and second mounting brackets, respectively. The connector arms each have an upper portion seated in the pockets of the respective mounting brackets by slip-fitted insertion therein and are vertically slidable relative the pockets to adjustably connect the window pane to the power drive mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 2, 1996
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Craig A. Kollar, Donald Szerlag, William C. Lajack, Kevin Koneval
  • Patent number: 5532521
    Abstract: A keyless system for quickly and conveniently securing the storage area of a delivery type truck against unauthorized entry and theft while the driver is away from the truck making a delivery or pickup. In reaching a delivery point or approaching the truck after a pickup, the driver actuates a portable transmitter to generate a wireless signal which is received and processed by a receiver within the truck and which unlocks and opens the access door to the storage area. Upon exit from the storage area after selecting or depositing a package, the driver simply taps a switch located in the cab of the truck to generate a signal which causes the access door to close and lock automatically. Securement of the rear cargo loading door also is controlled by use of the portable transmitter to generate a further signal for operating the loading door lock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 2, 1996
    Inventor: Robert L. Leininger
  • Patent number: 5515650
    Abstract: A gate assembly includes a sliding gate, a drive having a motor and motor pinion gear for driving the sliding gate, and a force transmission element for transmitting a driving force from the drive to the sliding gate. The force transmission element includes at least one threaded bolt having a bolt head, and a toothed rack engaged with the motor pinion gear. The toothed rack includes a toothed element having a base defining a first side having teeth attached thereto, and a second side opposite to the first side and forming a groove extending in a longitudinal direction of the toothed element for accommodating the bolt head. The groove defines a groove width corresponding to a width of the bolt head. The toothed rack further includes a support element connected with the sliding gate using the at least one bolt, and that is adapted to receive the toothed element. The support element includes at least one through bore for receiving the at least one bolt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 14, 1996
    Inventor: Rolf Machill
  • Patent number: 5437485
    Abstract: A locking mechanism for driving a lock bolt comprises a housing. A pinion has an outer circumference and is rotatably mounted in the housing. The pinion has a plurality of teeth and tooth gaps are disposed between adjacent teeth. A predetermined number of the tooth gaps have an abutment that extends outwardly substantially to the outer circumference of the pinion. A toothed rod is coupled to the lock bolt. The toothed rod is engaged by the pinion. A spring loaded detent device arrest the rotational movement of the detent in a switching position of the lock bolt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 1, 1995
    Assignees: Schuco International KG, Gebr.Goldschmidt Baubeschlage GmbH
    Inventor: Hans-Gerd Goldschmidt
  • Patent number: 5408783
    Abstract: A device for opening and closing a hatchway on a combat vehicle, especially a tank, by a hatch. The hatch comprises two components, one above the other. The upper component slides back and forth across and above the hatchway. The lower component descends tight into the hatchway. The object is to simplify the generic device to the extent that it can be operated from inside the vehicle. An operations-control rack extends along the upper component in the direction it slides back and forth in. The rack is engaged by a pinion. The pinion is part of a mechanism mounted on the vehicle and controlled from inside the vehicle. A cam track is fastened tight to the rack. A control pin rests against the cam track. The cam track operates by way of the control pin in conjunction with at least one mechanism that locks the upper component in position. The upper component is attached to the rack by a clutch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 25, 1995
    Assignee: Firma Wegmann & Co. GmbH
    Inventors: Uwe Sprafke, Michael Fehr, Manfred Matheis
  • Patent number: 5392564
    Abstract: A skylight cover for relatively blocking transmission of light through a lens opening of a skylight structure takes the form of a modular unit (10, 110), configured to fit between standard ceiling joists (16, 17). The unit includes a movable panel (30, 130), panel tracks (33, 133), and a panel drive mechanism (40, 45, 48; 161, 162,164), all housed in a common, readily installable and serviceable framework (12, 112). In one embodiment (10), the drive mechanism is a cable air cylinder (40) having end brackets (48) attached by a slide-in mounting assembly (58) to a frame member 39, and having a U-shaped cable bracket (48) deposited over posts (51) on the panel (30). In another embodiment (110), the drive mechanism is a motor (161) having an output gear (162) meshed with a gear track (164) on the panel (130).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 28, 1995
    Assignee: Aaron Fechter
    Inventors: Aaron Fechter, David M. Bostick
  • Patent number: 5388370
    Abstract: One stile of the sash in a door or window frame has an elongated channel for an elongated trough-shaped gear case rotatably receiving a first gear in mesh with the toothed rack of a reciprocable carrier in the gear case. A bifurcated end portion of the carrier mounts a second gear which meshes with a fixed rack of the gear case and with an elongated rack which is slidable along and overlies an open side of the gear case. The first gear can be rotated by a handle to move the carrier whereby the second gear rolls along the fixed rack and causes the elongated rack to perform a movement greater than the carrier. The elongated rack is coupled to motion receiving bars in the channel of the stile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 14, 1995
    Assignee: Schuco International KG
    Inventor: Armin Tonsmann
  • Patent number: 5377448
    Abstract: A door positioning mechanism with a moveable carriage driven by a motor through a lead screw, wherein the moveable carriage is connected to open and close the door by movement of the door rectilinearly along a track through the expedient of a drive train utilizing a multiple sheave and cable connection between the door and the moveable carriage. A hand disconnect is provided to disable the positioning mechanism and allow manual movement of the door. A thermal (fire switch) dead weight control is also provided to over-ride the positioning mechanism and automatically shut the door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 3, 1995
    Assignee: American Metal Door Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas E. Boyd, Charles A. Burton
  • Patent number: 5357713
    Abstract: An opener of the door of a gravity flow vehicle which allows a mechanical advantage in initially raising the door. After the material within the vehicle begins to flow and decrease the effort required to raise the door, the mechanical advantage is bypassed so that the door may be quickly raised and lowered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 25, 1994
    Assignee: Dethmers Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Sid Jiskoot, Walter Lammers
  • Patent number: 5355624
    Abstract: Modular, powered closure apparatus for installation as a unit into an opening of a building. The apparatus includes a rigid framework to be secured to the building and closure panels, one of which is affixed to the framework and the other of which is slidable in the framework. The framework includes a housing which accommodates an electric motor and transmission means extending between the motor and second closure panel to selectively move the second closure panel between open and closed positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 18, 1994
    Inventor: Russell E. Bacon
  • Patent number: 5351441
    Abstract: A sliding door which is moveable back and forth by a stationary drive motor nit, which has a drive pinion meshing with a gear rack attached to the door or the door's bottom rail, the gear rack being made of a series of adjacent rack segments extending in the sliding direction of the door and inserted in a retaining channel affixed to the door, the segments being manufactured as finished molded pieces and attached to each other with uniform tooth pitch along the rack, whereby the rack is low in cost, adaptable to various door displacement distances, and parts which are subject to heavy wear are readily replaceable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 4, 1994
    Assignee: Marantec Antriebs-und Steuerungstechnik GmbH & Co. Produktions KG
    Inventor: Michael Hormann
  • Patent number: 5341598
    Abstract: Rotary locks used on transit vehicle doors when opened and closed by a rotating helical door drive member. In a preferred embodiment, a first lock utilizes a negative thread portion of the helical drive. A second lock utilizes a rotating lock pawl and stop. The drive and lock can be used to operate door systems with and without separate door hangers. Compensation for camber variations in car structure is provided through the use of spherical mounts or drive member journals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 30, 1994
    Assignee: Mark IV Transportation Products Corporation
    Inventor: Redreddy S. Reddy
  • Patent number: 5319990
    Abstract: A linear drive system with an associated cover system wherein said linear drive system comprises a load, a lead screw, a lead nut operatively engaged to said lead screw such that said lead nut can travel along said lead screw by virtue of rotation of the lead nut, a load engaging structure means connecting the lead nut to the load such that as the lead nut travels along the lead screw, the load is moved, and motor means operatively engaged with the lead nut such that said motor means operates to rotate the lead nut, thereby moving the load.A cover system an opening formed by two surfaces. Said cover system has a bridge structure, which can be a roller assembly, which is supported by structural means over and across the width of the opening. A band is positioned to cover the opening and is also mounted over the bridge structure. As the bridge structure is moved along the opening, the band is lifted from the opening, thereby allowing access to the opening by a device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 14, 1994
    Assignee: California Technical Marketing Inc.
    Inventors: John R. Veale, Steven E. Shapiro
  • Patent number: 5309677
    Abstract: An electric motor driven vehicle window assembly wherein an electric motor is mounted in an aperture formed in a portion of a transparent window pane. The electric motor operates in conjunction with a simple transmission element such as a threaded rod or a toothed rack and when energized, causes the window to be raised or lowered. The invention provides a motor driven window which is more compact than conventional motor driven vehicle windows.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 10, 1994
    Assignee: Saint Gobain Vitrage International
    Inventors: Heinz Kunert, Hans Ohlenforst
  • Patent number: 5301734
    Abstract: A window assembly is disclosed which provides for automatic raising, lowering and locking of a window unit. The assembly includes a lower window frame having threaded holes in the side members thereof and an upper window frame having a motor mounted thereon. The motor drives a pair of vertical shafts that are threadably engaged within the threaded holes in the side members of the lower frame. Rotation of the vertical shafts causes relative movement of the upper and lower window frames, thereby opening and closing the window unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 12, 1994
    Assignee: Geo Ventures
    Inventor: George E. Opel
  • Patent number: 5261187
    Abstract: A sliding gate control device consisting of an elongated rack member that is resiliently mounted across the lower extremities of a sliding gate that is movable by guide structure, and a control unit mounted adjacent to the guideway actuatable to provide a pinion gear drive for engagement with said rack member thereby to slidably move the gate laterally across the right of way. Adjustable tension assemblies provide the resilient rack mounting that assures a continual positive rack/pinion engagement for reliable operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1993
    Assignee: Rescor (Renewable Energy Systems Corporation)
    Inventor: Edmund J. Prenger
  • Patent number: 5253452
    Abstract: Swivel-sliding door system for a vehicle, having a door leaf situated in the vehicle wall in the closed state, and situated on the outside in front of the vehicle wall in the open state, and having drive means, transverse guide means and longitudinal guide means which make possible a swivel-sliding movement of the door leaf. The longitudinal guide means comprise a bearing rail which extends over the width of the door opening and which is coupled to drive members which can cause the bearing wheel to execute a movement transversely to the vehicle wall (3). The bearing rail is provided with a first set of rollers (62,63) which run in the bearing rail and which are mounted on a coupling member (65) which is provided with a second set of rollers (66,67) which are situated in a lower position and which interact with a door rail (6) attached to the top of a door leaf (1,2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1993
    Assignee: T.B.L. Beheer B.V.
    Inventor: Horst Goldbach
  • Patent number: 5222327
    Abstract: A side mount garage door operator capable of being positioned on either the ceiling or end wall of a garage at either side of the garage door on a frame unit, the operator providing a clutch for disengaging the drive motor from the garage door in the absence of electric power and having a manual graspable handle operated by a solenoid when power is present and operable manually in the absence of power. Novel limit means having limits which is on the end of an axially movable bar which is moved by a follower riding in a spiral groove in the base of a disk such as a gear connected to the drive shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1993
    Inventors: Donna M. Fellows, William S. Dworzan
  • Patent number: 5195390
    Abstract: A mechanical drive for transporting a load attached to a load carrier element displaceable along a rotary threaded shaft between unthreaded ends of the shaft features precision end-of-travel positioning of the load and is improved to eliminate vibration of the load carrier element against the end of the thread on the rotating shaft thereby reducing wear of both the thread end and the load carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1993
    Inventor: Hisami Nogaki
  • Patent number: 5144770
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1992
    Inventors: Kenneth Kraus, Edward J. Page
  • Patent number: 5103126
    Abstract: A structure which is of the utmost simplicity, rigidity and reliability has a transmission arrangement (1) for converting the rotary movement of a motor into a linear movement of a driven body (21) along a curved path. It is of a configuration that includes a stationarily arranged spindle (2) which is curved to correspond to the shape of the curved path, and at least one thread counterpart portion (4) which is engaged with the thread of the curved spindle and which is rotatable about the spindle, and by virtue of that rotary movement, displaceable in the longitudinal direction of the spindle. The stator (14) of the motor is connected to the driven body and is mounted non-rotatably and longitudinally displaceably with respect to the curved spindle, and the rotor (5, 15) of the motor is non-rotatably connected to the thread counterpart portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1992
    Inventor: Walter Mehnert
  • Patent number: 5085094
    Abstract: A screw and guide rail coupling assembly is for a garage door operator. The garage door operator has a motor-driven rotatable screw at least partially within a nonrotatable guide rail and a slide guided by the guide rail and movable longitudinally therealong by engagement with the screw and connectable to open and close the garage door. The screw is in at least first and second screw parts, and a screw coupling is adapted to interconnect adjacent ends of the first and second screw parts. The guide rail is in at least first and second guide parts, and a guide coupling adapted to interconnect adjacent ends of the first and second guide parts. The screw coupling is longitudinally spaced or offset from the guide coupling wherein the screw coupling is completely contained and supported within one of said first and second guide parts. The offset provides a significant increase in the maximum torque of the screw and guide rail coupling assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 4, 1992
    Assignee: GMI Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles W. Clawson, James W. Stottsberry
  • 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: 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: 5031860
    Abstract: An integrated capsulized cabin for a passenger aircraft is provided and consists of an independent frame structure with a pair of bulkheads on each end in which sliding bulkhead doors will close by air pressure during air pressure loss to seal the cabin. A very strong elastic wire mesh material is disposed about the frame structure within the fuselage of the aircraft to reinforce the frame structure during expansion and contraction conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 16, 1991
    Inventors: Rene A. Ruiz, George Spector
  • Patent number: 5022184
    Abstract: A manual window regulator in which a pinion rotatably carried by a window glass and driven by a manual handle is held in engagement with a rack which is fixed to extend in the direction of movement of the window glass, so that a manual rotation of the handle causes the pinion to roll along the rack in meshing engagement therewith so as to drive the window glass thereby opening and closing a window. The transmission of rotation from the handle to the pinion is effected through a tape stretched between a drive gear rotationally driven by the handle and driven gear coaxially fixed to the pinion. The rack and the pinion are usable also as the parts of a power window regulator. The manual window regulator therefore can be easily converted into a power window regulator by using an electric motor for driving the pinion in place of the unit including the handle, the drive gear and the tape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 11, 1991
    Assignee: ASMO Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kengo Yamamura, Tutomu Saito, Youji Higuchi
  • Patent number: 5015030
    Abstract: A drive mechanism for moving a sunroof panel fore and aft along a pair of laterally spaced apart tracks mounting the sunroof panel includes a drive linkage including a pair of first and second links which are provided adjacent to each track. Each of the pair of links has outboard ends which are connected to the rear end of the sunroof panel and to the roof rearward of the sunroof opening, and inboard ends which are pivoted together to define an apex. A rotatable threaded drive shaft extends longitudinally of the body equidistant between the tracks. A drive bar extends transversely of the roof and has its ends slidably engaging with the apexes of first and second links and has a central portion threadedly engaging with the drive shaft so that drive shaft rotation drives the drive bar fore and aft and the drive bar in turn drives the apexes fore and aft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 14, 1991
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Clement A. Detloff
  • Patent number: 5012613
    Abstract: A power window apparatus for opening and closing a curved window glass having a comparatively large curvature in the direction of its curvature is provided with a fixedly mounted reversible motor, a curved screw having curvature nearly equal to the curvature of the curved window glass and fixed in parallel to the curved window glass, and a movable unit fitted onto said curved screw and connected to the motor and said curved window glass. A flexible drive shaft transmits the rotation of the motor to a worm gear in mesh with a worm wheel disposed in threaded connection on the curved screw to move the movable unit along the length of the screw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 1990
    Date of Patent: May 7, 1991
    Assignee: Jidosha Denki Kogyo K.K.
    Inventor: Shuji Sekine
  • Patent number: 5010688
    Abstract: A garage door operator for moving a garage door between open and closed posiitons includes a head unit for being held by a support structure positioned remote from the door with the head unit having a motor and a drive wheel with spaced teeth on its periphery for being driven by the motor. The operator also includes an elongate rail having a first end which is held by a support structure disposed adjacent and above the door with the rail including a pulley located adjacent the first end. The rail also includes a second end for being held adjacent to and in alignment with the drive wheel. The operator also includes a drive belt assembly for training about the drive wheel and the pulley and for being supported by the rail. The belt assembly includes a length of a plastic belt with teeth on one surface thereof matching the teeth on the drive wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 30, 1991
    Assignee: The Chamberlain Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth J. Dombrowski, Joseph Ergun
  • Patent number: 4995195
    Abstract: An automatic rear window opener for a vehicle including a frame adapted to fit into the opening left by the removal of a standard rear window. The automatic rear window is operated by a reversible electric motor having a rotating output shaft extending from each side of the motor. Left and right-hand threaded shafts attached to the output shafts on opposite sides of the motor carry threaded brackets that simultaneously move in opposite directions when the motor is activated. A pair of movable central panes are attached one to each of the brackets and ride in a track that extends across the bottom portion of the frame. The entire drive mechanism is located in the frame below the track and the control switch is located conveniently within the vehicle cab.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 26, 1991
    Inventors: Gordon D. Olberding, Mahlon W. Shearer
  • Patent number: 4991348
    Abstract: A power window apparatus improved to reduce the step between the outer surface of a window glass and the outer surface of a door outer panel so as to realize a flush surface state when the window glass has been moved to full close position. The window glass is supported such that the lower end portion of the window glass can be moved towards the door outer panel and the lower end portion of the window glass is shifted towards the door outer panel when the window glass has been moved to a position near the full close position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 12, 1991
    Assignees: Asmo Co., Ltd., Nippondenso Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kengo Yamamura, Tsutomu Saito
  • Patent number: 4984387
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 1989
    Date of Patent: January 15, 1991
    Assignee: 501 Manaras Auto Doors, Inc.
    Inventor: Graham Wheatland