Abstract:
An electromechanical device for activating a rotating post that moves the leaf of a swinging door on a vehicle, especially a mass-transit vehicle. An electric motor activates the column by means of an intermediate worm gear. The motor outtake shaft is coupled to the worm-gear intake shaft. A worm wheel is coupled to the worm-gear outtake shaft, which activates the rotating post. The electromechanical activating device contains an emergency mechanism for uncoupling the worm-gear outtake shaft from the worm wheel in relation to their rotation. The mechanism incorporates a coupling that can be disengaged between the outtake shaft and the worm wheel, which is mounted over it coaxially. The mechanism also involves several balls situated such that they can be forced into recesses in the outtake shaft while simultaneously engaging axial grooves in the inner surface of the worm wheel. The end of the outtake shaft that is remote from the rotating post has an axial bore that the recesses lead into and that accommodates a cylindrical slide. The balls rest against the surface of the slide. The slide has an initial longitudinal section with a diameter that ensures that a prescribed volume of each ball will project out of the recesses. The slide also has an adjacent longitudinal section with a diameter that continuously decreases to a length such that the balls will completely enter the recesses. A mechanism displaces the slide to a prescribed extent against the force of a compression spring.
Abstract:
What is disclosed is a door opener for a bus and the like having a pair of doors pivotally mounted on each side of a door opening on respective door shafts characterized by respective door bell cranks connected with the door shaft so as to effect desired rotation thereof; a central bell crank journalled for pivotal movement for opening the doors; and a pair of respective linking arms connected respectively with the central bell crank and with respective door bell cranks, at least one of the linking arms including respective telescoping members and biasing means for maintaining a noise-abating force on the doors; motor and interconnection mechanism for effecting controlled pivotal rotation of the central bell crank for opening the doors and for closing the doors and a safety override for disengaging the motor to allow the doors to be opened manually in the event of an emergency. Also disclosed is the respective preferred embodiment.
Abstract:
Garage door opener for simple installation and to fully actuate various counterbalanced doors of different makes with minimum mechanism, and to be packaged and sold as a compact kit. The opener is built around a short main drive shaft adapted to be coupled coaxially to the end of the door counterbalance shaft. The drive shaft is journalled in two frame side members and therebetween carries a worm gear and two friction drive disks spring-pressed against the gear to transmit limited drive torque therefrom to the shaft. The gear is driven by a worm on the shaft of a motor on a carrier which is slidable on the frame. A manual cam moves the carrier between a worm-engaged position for drive and a worm-disengaged position to release the door for manual operation. A threaded extension of the main shaft carries a pair of traveling nuts which actuate switches to limit door travel both directions. In one modification, the assembly is mounted on studs on a mounting plate and adjusted thereto to bring the drive shaft coaxial with the counterbalance shaft, and the two shafts are coupled. In a second modification, the assembly is cantilevered by its drive shaft on the counterbalance shaft and is stabilized in coaxial relation therewith by a torque-reaction bracket. Such bracket may include a torque-limiting switch operable to reverse the drive in response to excess torque. For most installations, a down-drive cable is added to the counter-balance mechanism and connected to positively move the door from open to closed position in response to down-drive rotation of the counterbalance shaft.
Abstract:
An improved position control apparatus is disclosed to control a motor-driven door operator to halt movement of a door at an open position and a closed position. The position control apparatus includes a control screw means in the form of a threaded shaft extension of the motor shaft or a threaded rod coupled to the motor shaft which is rotated when the motor is energized. A travel nut is threadedly engaged with the control screw means and is constrained against rotational motion so as to reciprocate along the control screw means. Position detection means, such as switches, are disposed near the control screw means for actuation by the travel nut to control the motor as the door approaches the open position and the closed position. In another embodiment, a toggle switch is mounted on the travel nut, and the switches are replaced by stops for actuation of the toggle switch to control the motor. An improved obstruction detector apparatus is also provided to control the motor if an obstruction is encountered as the door moves between the open position and the closed position. The obstruction detector apparatus includes a safety switch which is actuable by rotation of the motor casing due to reaction torque, if an obstruction is encountered as the door moves in one direction, and a lever that is actuable by rotation of the motor casing, if an obstruction is encountered as the door moves in an opposite direction, to actuate the safety switch.
Abstract:
1,189,950. Control of motors. VAPOR CORP. 27 Sept., 1968 [6 Nov., 1967], No. 46004/68. Heading H2J. [Also in Division E2] In an electric door operator having an output shaft 14 rotatable between open and closed positions of the door, control of the door movement is effected via a cam 43 secured to and rotatable with the shaft and which co-operates with three fixed switches 40, 41 and 42, there additionally being a locking device 24 operable independently of the shaft and which includes a lock releasing solenoid 34. As disclosed, the door motor and solenoid are energized manually to initiate opening, and switch 40 operates at the end of the opening cycle to de-energize the motor, switch 41 operating before this to actuate a door opening cushioning circuit and to deenergize the solenoid. Switch 42 operates near the end of the closing cycle which is initiated manually to de-energize the motor and to actuate a door closing cushioning circuit. Cushioning is effected by adding a resistance to the motor circuit.
Abstract:
A powered truck bed tonneau cover includes a handle operating a clutch to engage and disengage an electric motor from the tonneau cover. The handle is operable whenever the tonneau cover is open. A Hall sensor measures the position of the cover and a user may select closed and open positions for powered operation. A drive assembly of the powered truck bed tonneau cover resides just behind the cab and urges the cover into a spiral to avoid binding.
Abstract:
Universal rotary actuators (URAs) and door assemblies having the URAs are disclosed. In some embodiments, the URA includes a motor, a worm gear driven by the motor, a worm wheel having teeth that mesh with threads of the worm gear, a pinion gear attached to the worm wheel, drive gear rotatably connected to the pinion gear, an output shaft attached to the drive gear, and a controller assembly disposed between the drive gear and the motor, the controller selectively controlling direction and speed of the motor. In some embodiments, the URA additionally includes a quick release assembly that moves the pinion gear between an engaged position in which the pinion gear is rotatably connected to the drive gear and a disengaged position in which the pinion gear is not rotatably connected to the drive gear.