Overhead door locking operator

• US 20030205337A1
• Filed: 05/22/2003
• Published: 11/06/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 04/13/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GMI Holdings Incorporated (Sanwa Holdings Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Wayne-Dalton Corporation (HRH Door Corp.)
• Inventors: Mullet, Willis J., Kyle, Donald Bruce
• Granted Patent: US 6,851,465 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 160/188
• CPC Class Codes: E05D 13/1261 specially adapted for overhead wings E05D13/1269 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/603 using rotary electromotors
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/668 for overhead wings
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/686 by cables or ropes
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2201/214 Disengaging means
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2201/22 Locks
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2201/238 reaction force or torque
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2201/244 by manual operation
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2201/434 Electromotors; Details thereof
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2600/11 by automatically acting means
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/106 for garages
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/18576 including screw and nut
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/18688 Limit stop
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/18792 including worm
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/19828 Worm
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/20636 Detents

Abstract

A system for raising and lowering a sectional overhead door between an open position and a closed position including, a counterbalance system adapted to be connected to the door, an operator motor assembly mounted proximate to the sectional overhead door in the closed position of the sectional overhead door, at least a portion of the operator motor assembly movable between a door operating position and a door locking position, and a locking assembly (370) having an engaged position to hold the motor assembly in the operating position and a disengaged position to release the motor assembly allowing it to move to the door locking position. The system may be provided with a remote light assembly having a switchable light source in sensing communication with the operator motor such that operation of the motor activates the light source. The system is further provided with a handle assembly (515) operatively engaging the motor assembly (40) and counterbalance system (30) to selectively disconnect the motor assembly (40) from the counterbalance system (30), whereby urging of a rotatable handle (516) to a disconnect position (516′) allows the door (D) to be manually freely moveable with the aid of the counterbalance system (30).

Claims

1. A system for raising and lowering a sectional overhead door between an open position and a closed position comprising, a counterbalance system adapted to be connected to the door, an operator motor assembly mounted proximate to the sectional overhead door in its closed position of the sectional overhead door, at least a portion of said operator motor assembly movable between a door operating position and a door locking position, and a motor locking assembly having an engaged position to hold said motor assembly in the operating position and a disengaged position to release the motor assembly allowing it to move to the door locking position.

2. The system according to claim 1 wherein said locking assembly comprises a retractable rod.

3. The system according to claim 2 further comprising, a locking actuator operatively attached to the counterbalancing system, said locking actuator causing extension or retraction of said rod to engage and disengage said motor assembly.

4. The system according to claim 3 further comprising, a locking sleeve attached to said counterbalance system for rotation therewith and having a threaded outer surface, said locking actuator including a cuff having threads matingly engaging said threaded outer surface of said locking sleeve such that rotation of said locking sleeve causes axial movement of said locking actuator to selectively cause extension and retraction of said rod.

5. The system according to claim 2 further comprising, a biasing member urging said rod toward at least one of said engaged positions.

6. The system of claim 5 further comprising, a locking actuator for causing movement of said rod to disengaged position.

7. The system of claim 6 further comprising, a collar attached to said rod located between said locking actuator and said biasing member, whereby said biasing member and said actuator act upon said collar to axially position said rod.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the counterbalance system and motor assembly are selectively coupled by a disconnect assembly, said disconnect assembly comprising, a disconnect actuator mechanically activated to allow manual movement of the door including a handle assembly and cable operatively interconnected with said disconnect actuator, said handle rotatable to operatively tension said cable to disconnect said motor assembly from said counterbalance system.

9. The system of claim 1 further comprising, a remote light assembly having a receiver assembly pivotally mounted thereon and a transmitter communicating with the operator to transmit a signal upon operation of the operator motor, whereby said receiver receives said signal and illuminates said light source.

10. A disconnect handle assembly in an overhead door operating system having a motor assembly engageable with a counterbalance system operatively interacting with an overhead door, wherein the motor assembly is selectively disengaged from the counterbalance system by operation of a disconnect assembly having a cable attached to the disconnect assembly for operation thereof, the disconnect handle assembly comprising, a bracket supporting a handle, said handle having a spool portion and a grip portion, wherein a portion of the cable attaches to said handle at said spool portion, said handle being rotatable relative to said bracket, whereby rotation of said handle tensions the cable to operate the disconnect assembly.

11. A remote light assembly, in an overhead door operating system having an operator, the operator including an operator motor interrelating with a counterbalance system attached to the door to selectively open or close the door, a transmitter in communication with the motor for transmitting a signal upon activation of the motor, the remote light assembly having a light source in sensing communication with the transmitter, whereby operation of the motor effects illumination of said light source.

12. A remote light assembly of claim 11 further comprising, a base assembly in electrical communication with a power supply, a receiver assembly pivotally mounted on said base assembly having a sensing element supported thereon, wherein said light source is in electrical communication with said sensing element, whereby receipt of the signal from the transmitter by the sensing element effects illumination of said light source.

13. The remote light assembly of claim 12, wherein said receiver assembly is gimbaled to said base assembly, whereby said receiving assembly is pivotable and rotatable relative to said base assembly such that said receiving assembly is positionable for reception of said signal.

14. The remote light assembly of claim 12, wherein said base assembly includes a plug for attachment to said power supply and wherein said base assembly is rotatable relative to said plug, whereby said base assembly may be rotated to position said receiving assembly for receipt of said signal.

15. The remote light assembly of claim 12, wherein said base assembly is rotatable and said receiver assembly is gimbaled to said base assembly, whereby said receiver assembly is moveable omnidirectionally to position said sensing element for receipt of said signal.

16. A motor locking assembly, in a system for raising and lowering an overhead door having a counterbalance system operable with a motor assembly, the motor assembly having an operating position and a locked position, the locking assembly comprising, a rod selectively moveable to an engaged position and a retracted position, said rod being supported to be selectively engageable with the motor assembly, whereby in said engaged position said rod locks the motor assembly in the operational position and releases the motor assembly in said retracted position.

17. The motor locking assembly according to claim 16 further comprising, a locking actuator selectively effecting movement of said rod to at least one of said engaged or retracted positions.

18. The motor locking assembly according to claim 17 further comprising, a locking sleeve operable with the counterbalance system such that rotation of the counterbalance system causes rotation of said locking sleeve, wherein said locking sleeve engages said locking actuator to cause movement thereof.

19. The motor locking assembly according to claim 18, wherein said locking sleeve and said locking actuator are threadably coupled to each other.

20. The motor locking assembly according to claim 19 further comprising, a biasing member operatively engaging said rod for urging said rod to one of said engaged and said disengaged positions.

21. A locking actuator in a motor locking assembly in a system for raising and lowering an overhead door having a counterbalance system operable with a motor assembly and a locking sleeve operatively attached to the counterbalance system, the motor locking assembly having a retractable rod selectively moveable to an engaged position and a disengaged position for releasing the motor assembly, the locking actuator comprising, a locking cuff threadably received on the locking sleeve, said locking cuff having a portion engageable with the rod.

22. The locking actuator of claim 21, wherein the locking cuff includes a ring and a projection extending from said ring, wherein said ring is received on the locking sleeve and said projection slidably engages said rod.

23. A locking rod in a motor locking assembly having a locking actuator, wherein the motor locking assembly selectively releases a motor assembly in a system for raising and lowering a door, the motor assembly having an operating position and a locked position, the locking rod comprising, a rod engageable with the motor assembly, said rod moveable between an engaged position and a disengaged position, a collar attached to said rod, whereby said locking actuator contacts said collar to cause movement of said rod.

24. The locking rod of claim 23 further comprising, a plug attached to said rod, said collar extending radially outwardly from said plug, and a biasing member operatively engaging said plug for urging said rod to one of said engaged or disengaged positions.

25. The locking rod of claim 24, wherein said biasing member is a coil spring, said coil spring contacting said collar on a first side and said locking actuator selectively contacting said collar on a second side, whereby said rod is biased toward said engaged position and said locking actuator acts in opposition to said coil spring to move said rod to said disengaged position.

26. The locking rod of claim 24 wherein said biasing member is a leaf spring contacting said plug on a first end and said locking actuator selectively contacting said collar on a second end, whereby said rod is biased toward said engaged position and said locking actuator acts in opposition to said coil spring to move said rod to said disengaged position.

27. A system for raising and lowering a sectional overhead door, between an opened position and a closed position comprising, a counterbalance system operatively engaging the door, the counterbalance system having a drive tube, and an operator interacting with the counterbalance system to effect urging of the door toward at least one of said open and closed positions, wherein said operator is located centrally relative to the width of said door and at least partially supports said drive tube.

28. A system for raising and lowering an overhead door between an open position and a closed position comprising, an operator engaging a counterbalance system interacting with the door to effect the raising and lowering thereof, and a disconnect assembly operative with said operator to disconnect said operator from the counterbalance system, said disconnect assembly including a disconnect handle assembly located at a position displaced from the operator.