Moveable barrier systems

• US 20070095487A1
• Filed: 09/08/2006
• Published: 05/03/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 09/12/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The Chamberlain Group LLC
• Original Assignee: The Chamberlain Group, Inc. (The Chamberlain Group LLC)
• Inventors: Olmsted, Robert
• Granted Patent: US 7,997,324 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 160/201
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/686 by cables or ropes
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/106 for garages

Abstract

A support assembly for a barrier movable between open and closed positions over an opening comprises a track. The track is attached to the wall for guiding movement of the barrier between substantially vertical closed position and a substantially horizontal open position. A jack shaft assembly is attached to the track and to the barrier for movement thereof. A mounting assembly is attached to the track for receiving a drive unit comprising a motor for supplying power to the jack shaft assembly to move the barrier and for limiting rotational movement of the drive unit.

Claims

1. A support assembly for a barrier movable between open and closed positions over an opening in a wall comprising:

a track attached to the wall for guiding movement of the barrier between substantially vertical closed position and a substantially horizontal open position;

a jack shaft assembly attached to the track and to the barrier for movement thereof; and

a mounting assembly attached to the track for receiving a drive unit comprising a motor for supplying power to the jack shaft assembly to move the barrier and for limiting rotational movement of the drive unit.

2. The support assembly of claim 1 wherein the drive unit is coupled to the jack shaft assembly via a flexible coupling.

3. The support assembly of claim 2 wherein the flexible coupling comprises a flexible belt.

4. The support assembly of claim 1 wherein the jack shaft assembly is coupled to the drive unit at an end of the jack shaft assembly.

5. The support assembly of claim 1 wherein the track is L-shaped and includes a curved portion.

6. The support assembly of claim 5 wherein the mounting assembly is coupled to the track at the curved portion of the track.

7. The support assembly of claim 6 wherein the mounting assembly is coupled to the track such that the drive unit received by the mounting assembly is positioned to be substantially entirely above the curved portion of the track.

8. The support assembly of claim 6 wherein the mounting assembly is coupled to the track such that the drive unit received by the mounting assembly is positioned to be substantially entirely below the curved portion of the track.

9. A method of assembling a movable barrier support structure for a movable barrier which is moved with respect to an opening in a wall comprising:

attaching at least one barrier guiding track to the wall in proximity to the opening;

attaching a jack shaft assembly to the at least one barrier guiding track and to the barrier for movement thereof;

attaching a drive motor to the at least one barrier guiding track; and

coupling a power output of the drive motor to the jack shaft assembly for movement of the barrier.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein coupling a power output of the drive motor comprises coupling the power output to the jack shaft assembly via a flexible coupling.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein the flexible coupling comprises a flexible belt.

12. The method of claim 9 wherein coupling the jack shaft assembly to the drive motor comprises coupling the jack shaft assembly to the drive motor at an end of the jack shaft assembly.

13. The method of claim 9 wherein the at least one barrier guiding track is L-shaped and includes a curved portion.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein attaching the drive motor to the at least one barrier guiding track comprises attaching the drive motor to the at least one barrier guiding track at the curved portion of the at least one barrier guiding track.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein attaching the drive motor to the at least one barrier guiding track comprises attaching the drive motor to the at least one barrier guiding track such that the drive motor is positioned to be substantially entirely above the curved portion of the at least one barrier guiding track.

16. The method of claim 14 wherein attaching the drive motor to the at least one barrier guiding track comprises attaching the drive motor to the at least one barrier guiding track such that the drive motor is positioned to be substantially entirely below the curved portion of the at least one barrier guiding track.