×

Counterbalancing mechanism for an overhead door

  • US 5,636,678 A
  • Filed: 05/05/1995
  • Issued: 06/10/1997
  • Est. Priority Date: 06/16/1994
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
Patent Images

1. An overhead door system, including an overhead door which is operative to open and close a door opening having left and right sides as viewed from inside said overhead door, and counterbalancing apparatus for said overhead door, said apparatus comprising:

  • a) a torsion shaft mounted for rotation between left and right stationary supports respectively mounted adjacent said left and right sides of said overhead door;

    b) a torsion spring having a first end and a second end, said first end fixed to said torsion shaft so as to allow rotation with said torsion shaft; and

    c) a winding mechanism connected to one of said left and right stationary supports by respective connecting elements on said one of said left and right stationary supports and said winding mechanism, said winding mechanism further having a ring gear connected to said second end of said torsion spring and a worm engaged with said ring gear, wherein rotation of said worm rotates said ting gear to wind said second end of said torsion spring with respect to said first end, and said counterbalancing apparatus may be interchangeably connected to said left or right stationary support while exposing a drive portion thereof at a downward angle away from said door at each location;

    wherein said left and right stationary supports each comprise a bracket having a slot, said slot including an open end and a closed end and a pair of opposed inward projections positioned between said open and closed ends, said winding mechanism further including a housing containing said ring gear and having mounting structure received within said slot and retained in place by said projections;

    wherein said bracket further includes a flange mount disposed on a first side of said bracket adjacent each side of said slot and said housing includes a pair of flanges which are retained by said flange mounts when said mounting structure is retained by said projections;

    wherein said housing further includes a worm housing portion disposed between said flanges.

View all claims
  • 10 Assignments
Timeline View
Assignment View
    ×
    ×