Movable barrier operator having cable tension sensor and door lock mechanism
First Claim
1. In an arrangement for moving a barrier with respect to an opening in a wall, a safety arrangement comprising:
- motor driven apparatus for extending and retracting a cable attached to the barrier;
first cable guide for retaining the cable at substantially first predetermined distance from the wall;
second cable guide spaced apart from the first cable guide for retaining the cable at second predetermined distance from the wall;
cable tension sensing apparatus contacting the cable between the first and the second cable guide apparatus for generating a signal when slack is detected in the cable; and
a controller responding to the signal from the cable tension sensing apparatus for controlling movement of the barrier.
6 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A cable tension sensing apparatus is mounted on a wall having a door opening. The jack shaft garage door operator includes a drive unit having an electric motor for driving a jack shaft mounted above a door opening. A pull-up cable drum is connected to the jack shaft and has a multi-strand steel pull-up cable that may be payed out to lower a door or wound up to raise the door. The cable tension sensing apparatus includes a cable guide to retain the cable a substantially fixed distance from the wall and a spring driven cable follower which urges against the cable extending between the drum periphery and the cable guide. An alerting switch is connected to the cable follower and sends a signal indicating loss of cable tension when the cable follower moves beyond a predetermined distance. Additionally, the movement of the cable follower moves a door blocking arrangement to a position to block movement of the door when being raised without use of the motor.
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Citations
27 Claims
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1. In an arrangement for moving a barrier with respect to an opening in a wall, a safety arrangement comprising:
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motor driven apparatus for extending and retracting a cable attached to the barrier;
first cable guide for retaining the cable at substantially first predetermined distance from the wall;
second cable guide spaced apart from the first cable guide for retaining the cable at second predetermined distance from the wall;
cable tension sensing apparatus contacting the cable between the first and the second cable guide apparatus for generating a signal when slack is detected in the cable; and
a controller responding to the signal from the cable tension sensing apparatus for controlling movement of the barrier. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. In an arrangement for moving a barrier with respect to an opening in a wall, a safety arrangement comprising:
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motor driven apparatus for extending and retracting a cable attached to the barrier;
a cable guide for retaining the cable at a predetermined distance from the wall;
attachment apparatus for connecting the cable to the barrier to be moved;
cable tension sensing apparatus contacting the cable between the cable guide apparatus and the attachment apparatus for generating a signal when slack is detected in the cable; and
a controller responding to the signal from the cable tension sensing apparatus for controlling movement of the barrier. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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Specification