Abstract:
A sliding door operating mechanism for a vehicle to provide access to the vehicle through an opening in a wall thereof, includes at least one sliding door and a reciprocating power mechanism and a transmission mechanism for transmitting movement of power to the door for performing opening, closing and locking movements thereof. A beam structure carries the door, the power mechanism and the transmission mechanism. The beam structure extends across and is accommodated within an upper portion of the opening so as to be slidingly movably driven by the power mechanism between a relatively retracted position within the opening, in which the door is located in a first plane in a closed position confirmed within the opening, and a relatively less retracted position, in which the door is located in a second plane exteriorly of the opening allowing movement of the door along the second plane.
Abstract:
A power-operated system for actuating the rear doors or liftgates of motor vehicles includes a strut assembly having two struts, each strut mounted on one side of the door between the door and the vehicle's door frame. One end of each strut is connected to a powered rotating arm. To open the door, the rotating arms change the angular orientation of the struts such that they have a substantial mechanical advantage. In this position, the force provided by the struts overcomes the weight bias of the door, thus opening the door. To close the door, the rotating arms change the angular orientation of the struts such that the struts have a decreased mechanical advantage, reducing the force provided by the struts, and therefore causing the door to fall closed under its own weight bias. A control system for controlling the power-operated system is also disclosed.
Abstract:
A power liftgate drive assembly automatically moves the liftgate of a vehicle between its open and closed positions. The drive assembly is secured to the vehicle at a position near the top of the liftgate. The drive assembly includes a motor that drives a sector gear between two positions. A guide rod is secured to the sector gear to translate the rotational movement of the sector gear into the pivotal movement of the liftgate. A slot extends through the sector gear that allows the liftgate to be moved manually. A latch locks the guide rod in position with respect to the sector gear for automated movement whereas the latch releases the guide rod to move in the slot for manual operation.
Abstract:
A power liftgate assembly is disclosed for moving a liftgate between an open position and a closed position. The liftgate is secured to a motor vehicle having a roof. The power liftgate assembly includes an elongated bracket that is fixedly secured to the roof of the motor vehicle. The elongated bracket extends between first and second ends. A motor is fixedly secured to the elongated bracket. A slide operatively engages the motor. The slide moves along the elongated bracket. An articulated bracket is connected to the slide and moves with the slide. The articulated bracket includes a slot that extends therealong to provide lost motion between the articulated bracket and the slide. An arcuate bracket extends between the articulated bracket and the liftgate for receiving the motion of the articulated bracket and for moving the liftgate in response thereto.
Abstract:
A locking system (10, 110, 210) for a sectional overhead door (11) powered through a counterbalance system (30) including, a flexible member (C) interconnecting the counterbalance system and the door and providing tensioning during opening and closing of the door, a movable stop (50, 150, 250) selectively actuatable to a locked position precluding movement of the door, and a biasing member (65, 165, 255) urging the movable stop toward the locked position, whereby in the event of slack in the flexible member the biasing member displaces the movable stop to the locked position.
Abstract:
A method for selective alteration and control of door movement modes utilizing an apparatus that is primarily non-hydraulic and incorporated with a known mechanism which is functional independently from the apparatus in one mode of operation and which includes a piston for controlling door closing characteristics by selected fluid flow within the mechanism. The apparatus includes a motor driven lead screw having a linearly movable shuttle unit mounted thereon, the shuttle unit being positioned relative to the piston of the mechanism to accommodate nonattached contact with the piston to urge the piston, when the shuttle unit is moved, in a direction that will at least provide selective assistance with door opening in another mode of operation. Operation of the apparatus is controlled by programming of a related controller including non-volatile memory.
Abstract:
An automatic door opener adaptable to manual doors which includes a door hinged along at least one edge to a door frame, and manually movable between open and closed positions; an automatic door opener mechanism secured to the door, which further includes a motor; a first gear driven by the motor; at least an output gear for driving an output shaft secured to the door; a pair of gear dog portions on a face of the output gear defining free travel spaces therebetween; a pair of pins extending from the output shaft within the travel spaces, so that when the output gear is rotated by the motor, the gear dog portions engage the pins on the output shaft and rotate the door from a first closed position to a second opened position; a timer for allowing the door to remain in the opened position a pre-determined amount of time before returning to the closed position; and when the door is moved manually to the opened position and allowed to close, the pin members are not engaged by the gear dogs, and travel within the free travel spaces without imparting movement to any components of the automatic door mechanism.
Abstract:
A deadbolt assembly adapted for use with automatic door openers having a movable carriage power driven on a track mounted above the door. A lift arm connects the carriage to the door which swings the door up and down about a horizontal axis in response to movement of the carriage. A deadbolt shaft reciprocates within a sleeve which is secured to the lower inside portion of the door. The shaft locks the door when closed by engagement with a lock opening. A cable connects the shaft to the carriage so that the shaft is lifted out of the opening as the carriage moves to lift the door. A slotted bracket connection between the door and lift arm provides a lost motion action to delay door movement until the shaft is out of the opening. In an alternative embodiment, the lift arm includes a free end at the bracket connection. The door connection includes slots which allow the free end to extend beyond the bracket and engage a door header opening after the door is closed. This locks the door in a closed position without the necessity of the deadbolt shaft and cable.
Abstract:
A self locking device that is used with a overhead, horizontally pivoted, door in combination with a power operated door opener is disclosed. The device comprises a latch mechanism that is activated by the movement of the door arm and a striker that receives a locking dog. A door arm, which is a part of the door opener, is the member that transfers the movement of the power operated door opener to the door. When the door arm is closing the door, the locking dog is free to interface with a striker. A striker mounted on the header of the door frame receives the locking dog and keeps the door from being forced open which can be done by breaking the door opener mechanism. The latching dog is released by the door opener mechanism with the reverse movement of the door arm and therefore the door is moved to its open position.
Abstract:
Hydraulic door closer apparatus includes means for counter-balancing the bias of a return spring, to either assist in opening the door by reducing the force needed to open, or, in an alternative embodiment and mode of operation, to open the door by over-balancing the bias of the return spring. In the latter mode, a remotely manually operable switch, such as, for example, a so-called palm button, may initiate opening the door.