Abstract:
A rotational-locking member such as an endless screw for actuating a sliding door by means of a nut is locked in position by rotational displacement of the nut and is unlocked by means of a device comprising a pulley coupled to the endless screw and rigidly fixed to a clutch-disk. A second clutch-disk slidably mounted on a square sleeve of a bevel-pinion can be rotated by means of a pair of bevel-pinions and a lever. A lug of the second disk cooperates with a helical groove of a stationary cam in order to subject the disk to a helical movement, the rotational motion component of which is imparted to the endless screw after engagement of the disks in order to unlock the screw.
Abstract:
A logic control and safety circuit for an electrically actuated gate, or the like. Upon command, a counter directs pulses from a free running oscillator of selective frequency to timer and motor control circuitry, effecting sequential gate operations. The normal gate sequence includes open, pause, and close cycles. Electro-mechanical and electrical safety features are included should the gate encounter an obstruction during either the open or the close cycles, or fail to complete a cycle for any reason. Automatic reset circuitry advances the gate through a "close" cycle following a power failure.
Abstract:
Improved traveler and guide rail apparatus for use with a garage door operator includes an elongated guide rail having a longitudinal screw channel and outwardly extending integral flanges disposed along the screw channel. An elongated T-shaped flange extends upwardly from the screw channel. An improved traveler apparatus for use with the guide rail includes a screw-driven traveler and a coupling traveler, each mounted on respective tracks formed by separate outside surfaces of the guide rail. The screw-driven traveler carries a nut engaging a screw in the screw channel through a slot between the flanges and further includes opposed U-shaped channels slidably mounted over the exterior surfaces of the guide rail flanges for slidable movement along the guide rail. The coupling traveler surrounds the screw-driven traveler and a substantial portion of the guide rail and includes a bore in an upper portion thereof, the bore having an interior surface slidably engaging the exterior surface of the screw channel for slidable movement along the guide rail. Upper shoulders of the coupling traveler above the bore are sufficiently close to the T-shaped flange to be guided thereby to prevent undesirable vertical or horizontal movement of the coupling traveler. Also, the coupling traveler is sufficiently relieved in the flange area to accommodate the screw-driven traveler therein. The coupling traveler is further provided with means for connecting it to a garage door, and carries a manually actuable bistable latch for selectively engaging and disengaging the coupling traveler with the screw-driven traveler for respective cooperative and independent slidable movement along the guide rail.
Abstract:
A garage door operator includes a drive screw, rotationally and longitudinally movable in a shuttle track or guide rail, and a screw-driven shuttle mounted on the track and connected to the door. A lever arm is attached to the screw at a rearward end thereof and is pivoted to the operator at one side of the screw. Another end of the lever arm, adjacent an opposite side of the screw, is operatively disposed with respect to control switches and is spring-loaded, whereby door engaged obstructions cause the rotating screw to move longitudinally, against the spring bias, and to actuate, through the lever arm, a switch for stopping or for reversing the operator motor. A sleeve coupling permits longitudinal screw movement with respect to the operator's motor, and is provided with means to permit continued motor operation, drivingly disengaged from the screw, upon control malfunction, in order to prevent damage or injury.
Abstract:
A runner wheel support for sliding doors, windows and the like consists of a support body which is a press fit in the respective frame, and which carries the support wheel or roller on an arm carried by a disengageable pivot. The wheel support arm has a cam member cooperating with a height adjustment screw and spring fingers on the support body to hold the wheel support in a stored position while the support body is fitted into a frame member, and thereafter to free the wheel support from this stored position and to hold it in an operative position. Preferably the support body is of L-shape and acts as a connector to join together mitre-cornered pieces of frame. Movement of the wheel support arm to a removal position disengages the cam member from the spring fingers, so that the arm can be disengaged from the pivot and removed. A spring is provided to urge the wheel support arm to the operative position, and the arm is provided with transversely-extending dimples that engage the bore side walls to centralize the wheel.