Automated garage door closer

• US 5,510,686 A
• Filed: 01/21/1994
• Issued: 04/23/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 01/21/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Courtney E. Collier
• Original Assignee: Courtney E. Collier
• Inventors: Collier, James A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Sircus, Brian
• Application Number:
  US08/183,977
• Time in Patent Office: 823 Days
• Field of Search: 318/452, 318/467-469, 318/484, 318/487, 318/446, 340/825.69
• US Class Current: 318/446
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/79 using time control
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/106 for garages

Abstract

A security timer, add-on device, for an automated, electrically-powered, garage door causes the door to close after it has been opened for predetermined time, e.g., four and a half minutes. The security timer consists of a relay, two micro switches, bell wire, and electrical wire. The relay, in parallel with the electric light, which is controlled by the automatic electric garage door opener, is thus energized, i.e., the points are opened, when the light is energized. Thus, the normally closed (N/C) relay opens and remains open while the light is lit. The first micro switch (M/S), normally opened (N/O), is in series with the relay, and is attached to one of the points of the relay, the other end, of the M/S, is attached to a push-button wall switch, which can also be used to control the garage door openings or closings. This M/S has a whisker which comes in contact with the door when it is fully open; thereby closing the M/S. If the first M/S is closed while the relay is closed, then this will cause the garage door opener to close the door. This is equivalent to pushing the button, on the garage wall, to close the door. Since reversing operation is required, in case of obstructions, etc., in the path of the closing door; this security timer will not interfere with the reversing safety feature since the door must be in the fully opened position for the M/S to be activated, i.e., the whisker to make contact. The optional second M/S, which could be an ordinary push-button switch, is in parallel with the first M/S in order to provide deactivation of the first when it is desired that the door remain open, i.e., deactivation of the automatic closing feature, or to effectively close the first M/S. The particular garage door opening system depicted in this application also has an open door indicator light option, installed inside of the house. Thus, this device will prevent the garage door from being inadvertently left opened, or if accidentally opened by stray radiation, e.g., from aircraft or a neighbor'"'"'s transmitter, automatically closed.

Claims

1. In combination a garage, an electronic garage door apparatus and an automatic closing means, the garage comprising:

at least one wall,

a garage door frame,

an over head garage door movable between an open position and a closed position;

the electric garage door apparatus comprising;

a motorized unit for alternately opening and closing the garage door in response to a start signal,

a push button switch for providing the start signal to the motorized unit,

a timer for providing a time delay after operation of the push button switch,

a light circuit responsive to an output of the timer for providing light during the time delay,

the automatic closing means for closing the garage door comprising;

a first switch located on the garage door frame so that when the garage door is in the open position the first switch is switched closed,

a relay located on the wall,

first and second wires connecting the relay in parallel with the light circuit, said first and second wires are 14 AWS gauge electric wire,

first bell wire connecting the relay to the first switch,

second bell wire connecting the first switch to the push button switch so that the first switch is in series between the relay and the push button switch,

third bell wire connecting the relay to the push button switch so that the relay is in parallel with the push button switch,

whereby termination of operation of the light circuit at the end of the time delay causes the relay to close and if the first switch is closed, indicating the garage door is open, providing the start signal to the motorized unit.

2. The combination according to claim 1 wherein the first switch is a microswitch.

3. The combination according to claim 1 wherein the automatic closing means further comprises a second switch in series with the first switch and the relay whereby the automatic closing means is disabled when the second switch is opened.

4. The combination according to claim 1 wherein the first switch is a non-contacting proximity detector.

5. The combination according to claim 3 wherein the first switch is a non-contacting proximity detector.