Remote controlled opening device

• US 4,972,629 A
• Filed: 08/16/1989
• Issued: 11/27/1990
• Est. Priority Date: 08/16/1989
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Albrecht Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Albrecht Incorporated
• Inventors: Merendino, Paul A., Albrecht, Fred I.
• Primary Examiner(s): Kannan, Philip C.
• Application Number:
  US07/394,561
• Time in Patent Office: 468 Days
• Field of Search: 49/25, 49/29, 49/28, 49/30, 49/31, 49/138, 49/340, 49/339, 49/346, 49/345, 49/357
• US Class Current: 49/25
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/63 operated by swinging arms
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/78 using light beams
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2201/236 using force or torque
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2201/434 Electromotors; Details thereof
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2201/624 Arms
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2400/3013 during manual wing operation
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2400/614 charging thereof
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2600/46 in or on the wing
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2800/372 Telescopically
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/132 Doors
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/148 Windows

Abstract

The invention relates to an automatic remote controlled opening device which may be used to open and close doors, windows or similar closure systems. The opening device includes a receiver to detect control signals generated at a remote location from the device. The control signals are then utilized to effect selective operation of a mechanical system coupled with the closure system for opening and closing thereof. The mechanical system enables smooth and efficient automatic opening and closing, but does not inhibit manual operation of the door or the like. Control circuitry associated with the device enables various functions to be performed for selective operation of the device. The device may also be provided with a stored energy source of power such that it can be retrofit for use with an existing closure system. Auxiliary control of the device enables opening or closing in response to an emergency situation or other circumstances.

Claims

1. A selectively operable automatic opening and closing device for use with a closure system comprising,

a reversible motor means having a rotatably driven output shaft to generate a driving force for movement of said closure system,

at least a battery power supply means to provide electrical energy for operation of said device,

a drive train coupled to said output shaft including reducing gear means and slip clutch means wherein said reducing gear means has a high reduction gear ratio to supply a desired amount of torque and said slip clutch means will slip during initial operation of said motor means to provide soft starting and stopping characteristics,

an adjustable linkage means coupled to said drive train to translate said driving force to said closure system,

control circuit means coupled to said motor means to actuate operation of said motor means upon reception of actuation signals,

receiving means coupled to said control circuit means for reception of actuation signals generated from a remote transmitter which is adapted to transmit a plurality of control signals.

2. An automatic opening and closing device as in claim 1, further comprising,

encoding means coupled to said drive shaft to monitor the rotation and direction of rotation of said shaft to provide position information of said closure system to said control circuitry for variable operation of said motor means.

3. An automatic opening and closing device as in claim 1, wherein,

said control circuit means includes means to predetermine the speed of said output drive shaft and is selectively controlled by current limiting to provide soft starts and stops during opening or closing of said closure system.

4. An automatic opening and closing device as in claim 1, wherein, said battery power supply means is selectively coupled to said control circuitry upon reception of signals emitted by said transmitter at a remote location so as to conserve the power stored in said battery supply means.

5. An automatic opening and closing device as in claim 1, wherein,

said device is coupled to a source of electrical power in addition to said battery power supply means to provide power for said control circuitry and said motor means and said battery power supply means is a back-up battery supply means to be utilized for operation of said device upon failure of said source of electrical power.

6. An automatic opening and closing device as in claim 1, further comprising, a latch release control means coupled to said control circuitry to provide a signal which may be utilized to effect release of a latch means associated with said closure system.

7. An automatic opening and closing device as in claim 1, further comprising,

an auxiliary operation circuit means to effect operation of said device regardless of reception of signals emitted by said transmitter.

8. An automatic opening and closing device as in claim 7, wherein,

said auxiliary operation circuit means is initiated by signals initiated by signals generated by a sensing device included in said opening and closing device such that upon sensing of a predetermined physical condition, actuation of said opening and closing device will be initiated.

9. An automatic opening and closing device as in claim 7, wherein,

said auxiliary operation circuit means is initiated by a main control switch means coupled to said device for selective operation thereof.

10. An automatic opening and closing device as in claim 1, wherein,

said linkage means comprises a first arm portion coupled to said drive shaft, a second arm portion adjustably coupled to said first arm portion at one end thereof and to said closure system at the other end thereof.

11. An automatic opening and closing device as in claim 1, wherein,

said linkage means comprises a first arm portion having means at said other end thereof which coacts with a track means having a longitudinal slot therein to provide limited respective movement between said arm and said track means upon actuation of said opening and closing device.

12. An automatic opening and closing device as in claim 1, wherein,

said linkage means comprises a first arm portion coupled to said drive shaft, a second arm portion telescopically slidable within said first arm portion at one end thereof and having a means at the other end thereof to secure said second arm portion in the vicinity of said closure system wherein relative movement between first and second arm portions is enabled upon actuation of said opening and closing to provide an automatically adjustable linkage arm assembly.

13. An automatic opening and closing device as in claim 1, wherein,

said remote transmitter comprises a hand-held remote control transmitter.

14. An automatic opening and closing device as in claim 1, wherein,

said remote transmitter comprises a remote environmental condition sensing device which will transmit signals to said receiving means upon the occurrence of a predetermined physical condition.

15. An automatic opening and closing device as in claim 1 wherein the door can be open and closed manually because of the slipping of the slip clutch means.