Overhead Door Object Detection Apparatus
First Claim
1. An detection apparatus, comprising:
- a transmitter unit attached to or otherwise associated with a retractable door to determine if an object is in a downward path of said retractable door, said transmitter unit having a proximity sensor directed downward from said retractable door when said retractable door is moving in a downward direction so as to determine if said object is in said downward path, a tilt switch structured and arranged to determine if said retractable door is moving in an upward direction, a transmission source configured to transmit a signal upon detection of said object in said downward path, a microprocessor operatively connected to each of said proximity sensor, said tilt switch and said transmission source and a source of power electrically connected to each of said proximity sensor, said tilt switch, said transmission source and said microprocessor, said microprocessor configured to operatively control operation of each of said proximity sensor, said tilt switch and said transmission source; and
a receiver unit in communication with said transmitter unit so as to receive and process said signal from said transmission source, said receiver unit having a source receiving device, a door reversing mechanism and a source of power that are operatively connected together so as to receive said signal from said transmission source and stop and/or reverse the downward movement of said retractable door to avoid making contact with said object, said source receiving device cooperatively configured with said transmission source so as to receive said signal transmitted from said transmission source, said door reversing mechanism connected to a safety reversing sensor associated with said retractable door so as to operatively engage said safety reversing sensor and stop the downward movement of said retractable door.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An overhead door object detection apparatus that is configured to be utilized with a retractable garage door leading into a garage to determine if there is an object in the downward path of the garage door and, if there is an object, to stop the downward movement of the garage door before it hits the object and reverse to an upward movement. The apparatus generally comprises a transmitter unit that is attached to the leading edge of the garage door to detect the object and a receiver unit that controls the movement of the garage door. The transmitter unit comprises a proximity sensor, a microprocessor, a tilt switch and a transmission source to transmit an object detection signal to the receiver unit. The receiver unit has a receiving device, a microprocessor and a door reversing mechanism that engages the door'"'"'s standard safety reversing sensor.
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Citations
13 Claims
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1. An detection apparatus, comprising:
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a transmitter unit attached to or otherwise associated with a retractable door to determine if an object is in a downward path of said retractable door, said transmitter unit having a proximity sensor directed downward from said retractable door when said retractable door is moving in a downward direction so as to determine if said object is in said downward path, a tilt switch structured and arranged to determine if said retractable door is moving in an upward direction, a transmission source configured to transmit a signal upon detection of said object in said downward path, a microprocessor operatively connected to each of said proximity sensor, said tilt switch and said transmission source and a source of power electrically connected to each of said proximity sensor, said tilt switch, said transmission source and said microprocessor, said microprocessor configured to operatively control operation of each of said proximity sensor, said tilt switch and said transmission source; and a receiver unit in communication with said transmitter unit so as to receive and process said signal from said transmission source, said receiver unit having a source receiving device, a door reversing mechanism and a source of power that are operatively connected together so as to receive said signal from said transmission source and stop and/or reverse the downward movement of said retractable door to avoid making contact with said object, said source receiving device cooperatively configured with said transmission source so as to receive said signal transmitted from said transmission source, said door reversing mechanism connected to a safety reversing sensor associated with said retractable door so as to operatively engage said safety reversing sensor and stop the downward movement of said retractable door. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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Specification