Fully automatic garage door opener

• US 4,843,639 A
• Filed: 03/17/1988
• Issued: 06/27/1989
• Est. Priority Date: 03/17/1988
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Richard G. Beals
• Original Assignee: Richard G. Beals
• Inventors: Beals, Richard G.
• Primary Examiner(s): Griffin, Robert L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Beek, Leslie V.
• Application Number:
  US07/169,281
• Time in Patent Office: 467 Days
• Field of Search: 340/696, 340/825.72, 340/825.69, 318/480, 455/600, 455/603, 455/606, 455/607, 455/608, 455/612, 455/617, 455/618, 455/619
• US Class Current: 398/111
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/78 using light beams
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/106 for garages
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00785 by light
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00928 for garage doors
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00182 operated with unidirectional data transmission between data carrier and locks

Abstract

This invention relates to a door or a gate for an enclosure, controlled remotely by a vehicle using an electronic control for moving the door to an open or closed position with a switch for initiating the operation of the control. The invention particularly relates to an improvement for opening and closing the door or gate and essentially includes a light transmission means mounted on the vehicle for generating a light beam, with a first light receiving apparatus mounted in the enclosure for receiving the generated light when the vehicle is clear of the door or gate. When the first light receiver detects the light beam, it either switches the control to close or open the door or gate. A second light receiving apparatus is mounted outside the enclosure in the normal path the vehicle travels while entering or leaving the enclosure. The second light receiving apparatus is mounted in a position to receive the beam of light when the vehicle passes the mounted location. When the second receiving apparatus detects the light beam, the garage door or gate is either closed or opened, depending upon its present position.

Claims

1. In an enclosure for a vehicle, said enclosure having an automatically movable closure apparatus, an electrical control for moving said closure apparatus to an open or closed position and a switch means for initiating the operation of said control, an improvement comprising:

(a) light transmission means mounted on said vehicle for generating a light beam;

(b) an ignition switch and means for simultaneously operating said light transmission means when said ignition switch is turned to start said vehicle;

(c) a first light receiving means mounted in said enclosure for receiving said generated light beam when said vehicle is positioned in said enclosure so that it can no longer be struck by said closure apparatus, and for generating an output signal to said switch means;

(d) a second light receiving means mounted outside said enclosure in the path of said vehicle entering or leaving said enclosure, said second light receiving means generating a second signal when receiving light from said light transmission means said second light receiving means mounted at least the length of said vehicle from said closure apparatus; and

,

(e) means for communicating said second signal from said second light receiving means to said switch means;

whereby when said vehicle is at said first light receiving means or passes said second light receiving means said switch means will be operated.

2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said closure apparatus is a garage door.

3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said vehicle includes a switch to turn on said light transmission means.

4. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said vehicle includes a timing means for shutting off said light transmission means after a preselected period of time.

5. Apparatus as claimed in claim 4 wherein said ignition switch is connected to turn on said timing means.