Abstract:
A garage door opener is provided with a drive mechanism formed by a chain that runs in a track. The track is mounted on the platform of a mounting support that is hinged to the vehicle entry wall of a garage directly above the garage door opening. The track includes a track opening directed straight out from the vehicle entry wall. The track extends in a curve from the track opening toward the vehicle entry wall, along a first proximal straight section that lies parallel to the vehicle entry wall, around a one hundred eight degree bend, and along another distal straight section that is located parallel to and spaced from the first, proximal section. The chain is formed with large links having flat upper and lower plates. Each link has a hinged side and an unhinged side and the links are joined together at their corners along their hinged sides. The chain can only be bent in an arc that is concave inwardly toward the hinged sides of the links. A reversible drive mechanism drives the chain so that as the garage door is opened, the chain links emanate in straight linear alignment with each other from the track opening and function as a push rod that forces the top of the garage door inwardly toward the interior of the garage. When the garage door is closed, the links of the chain will flex about their corner connections and thereby follow the chain track on the platform. As the garage door approaches a closed position, a lift mechanism is actuated that rotates the platform upwardly through a small arc to allow the top of the garage door to pass therebeneath.
Abstract:
A manually operable carousel revolving door having a locking element with a rotary axle disposed inside. The door comprises a braking motor, a rotational speed detector and a rotation direction detector, all actively connected to the locking element. If the door rotates at a speed above a predetermined rate or in a wrong direction, the rotation speed detector and the rotation direction detector signals the braking motor to act on the rotary axle of the locking element to slow the rotation rate of the door. The braking motor can be disposed in a receptacle in the top side covering in the revolving door. In addition, the braking motor can be connected to the rotary axle via a chain drive or a toothed gear drive.
Abstract:
An automatic gate operator includes an electric drive motor coupled by a drive train to a movable gate, and includes provision for measuring the coasting distance which the gate moves after shut off of the drive motor. This coasting distance varies both with the weight and momentum of the gate in comparison to frictional drag of the gate hardware, and the drag provided by the gate operator with the drive motor shut off, and also varies in response to a great number of other variables many of which are unpredictable. These other variables include such factors as wind, weather, temperature, wear, adequacy of lubrication, time interval since last operation of the gate operator, and off-level installation of the gate, for example. However, the coasting distance is measured and recorded, and is subsequently used as a predictor of gate coast on subsequent operation of the gate operator in order to coast the gate to a stop precisely at a selected limit position. The prediction improves with experience, and compensates over time for progressive changes in the operating circumstances and conditions of the gate.
Abstract:
A push-pull chain garage door operator system includes a drive module and an elongated guide rail for a push-pull chain connected to a carriage assembly mounted on the guide rail. The chain is engaged with a sprocket mounted on a generally rectangular plate-like molded plastic support member which includes a serpentine idle chain storage slot formed therein. The support member is releasably connected to a stamped metal frame plate for covering the storage slot and supporting the drive module. The bottomwall of the support member supports a right angle speed reduction drive unit connected to a drive motor retained in a cradle formed by an integral boss on the support member. The motor and a starting capacitor therefor are retained in respective cradle portions of the boss by a removable retaining strap. A control circuit board is mounted on the underside of the support member and a two-part shroud for the operator mechanism is releasably secured to the frame plate.
Abstract:
An operator for opening and closing pivotal windows comprises at least two pull and pressure transferring, flexible linkage mechanisms (3,4) connected at one end to a fixture (5,6) on a frame member and at the opposite end in engagement with a driving device (12-17) mounted on the opposite main frame member (2). The driving device is common to the linkage mechanisms and is together with the parts of the linkage mechanisms engaging it mounted in a common housing (7) for receiving the entire length of the linkage mechanisms (3,4) and provided with guides (8,9) and lead-in openings (8a,9a) for the linkage mechanisms (3,4). A carrier element (10,11) in connection with the guides is via transmission elements (12-16) in the housing 87,28; 54) connected with a common driving unit (17).
Abstract:
A hydraulic control system for automatically closing and opening a door is disclosed and has means for providing such opening and closing even if power is lost to the hydraulic control system. Further disclosed is a fluid control device of the hydraulic system which prevents the door from being opened or closed too quickly that might otherwise harm an individual that comes into the path of the moving door.
Abstract:
A device (16b) for tilting windows, doors, ventilation hatches, or similar closures open, with a motorized transmission-activating mechanism (12b) and a transmission (14b) comprising two back-to-back chains that curve in opposite directions.
Abstract:
A window operator has a prime mover for opening and closing of a window, with the prime mover being drivingly connected to a drive output member through an intermediate gear structure. A clutch device in the drive structure senses the torque applied to the drive output member in a window closing operation and a switch operable by the clutch is effective to deenergize the prime mover when the torque applied to the output member reaches a predetermined value. The switch can be adjustably located relative to the clutch whereby the predetermined value at which the motor will be deenergized may be varied in order to obtain a desired tension on a member connected to the closed sash of the window, such as a chain connected to the sash of a skylight window.
Abstract:
The present invention discloses an improved chain assembly and a method for making the same. In general, the method of making a chain assembly in accordance with the present invention, comprises forming a plurality of links having a preselected shape and placement of apertures therein. A plurality of wire blanks are formed having an outer diameter to permit insertion into the apertures of the links. Such link is retained in a fixed position and a wire blank is inserted into each aperture of the link. On one end of each wire blank, a head is formed having a diameter larger than the aperture into which the wire blank is inserted. A mating link is placed into engagement with each link containing wire blanks with the end of each blank inserted in one aperture of the mating link in a manner to form a chain assembly. On the other end of each wire blank, a head is formed to complete interlocking of the links and blanks in forming the chain assembly.
Abstract:
The present invention concerns a chain operator for a window which comprises a chain formed of a plurality of interconnected chain links and a casing having a spaced first and second chain exit openings. A chain guide track is disposed in the casing and extends between the first and second chain exit openings and is positioned to guide the chain between the chain exit openings. One end of the chain is affixed to a window and a drive sprocket is rotatably mounted in the casing. The drive sprocket has a plurality of sprocket teeth which lie along the planar surface of the drive sprocket and are engagable with the chain to drive the chain between the chain exit opening when the drive sprocket is rotated. A guide arrangement is positioned in the casing adjacent one of the chain exit openings and guides the chain links near the chain exit opening and maintains the chain links substantially in the plane of the planar surface of the drive sprocket, as the chain links move through the casing into engagement with the sprocket teeth. The guide arrangement thereby avoids jamming of sprocket teeth in the chain links and minimizes undesirable noise producing engagement of chain with the casing. Another feature of the present invention includes the use of stablizing rings disposed in position to engage and maintain the drive sprocket from substantial wobbling during rotation and thereby further preventing misalignment between the sprocket teeth and the chain links.