Remote release for a movable barrier arrangement

• US 6,860,065 B2
• Filed: 05/08/2002
• Issued: 03/01/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 05/08/2002
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: The Chamberlain Group LLC
• Original Assignee: The Chamberlain Group, Inc. (The Chamberlain Group LLC)
• Inventors: Griffin, James C., Fitzgibbon, James J., Olmsted, Robert J., Laird, Edward T.
• Primary Examiner(s): REDMAN, JERRY E
• Application Number:
  US10/141,283
• Publication Number:
  US 20030208961A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,028 Days
• Field of Search: 491/39, 491/40, 491/97, 491/99, 49/25
• US Class Current: 49/139
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/668 for overhead wings
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/77 using wireless control
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2201/214 Disengaging means
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2201/218 Holders
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2201/244 by manual operation
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2201/246 by auxiliary motors, magnets, springs or weights
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2201/462 Electromagnets
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2400/3017 Safety means therefor
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/106 for garages

Abstract

A system for decoupling a barrier from a barrier movement apparatus for the manual operation of the barrier. Advantageously, the decoupling is performed in response to a wireless signal and may be done only when the barrier is determined to be in a safe position.

Claims

1. A barrier movement system comprising:

a motor selectively connected to a first source of electrical power;

a movable trolley assembly connected to the motor and to a barrier to couple the force generated by the motor to the barrier for movement thereof;

the movable trolley assembly comprising a receiver receiving transmitted release signals and a release arrangement responsive to a transmitted release signal decoupling the barrier from the motor, and the release arrangement includes a second source of electrical power not dependent upon the presence of the first source of electrical power.

2. A barrier movement system in accordance with claim 1 comprising position indicating apparatus for generating position signals representing the position of the barrier.

3. A barrier movement system in accordance with claim 2 wherein the release arrangement responds to the position signals.

4. A barrier movement system in accordance with claim 3 wherein the release arrangement responds to the position signals and decouples the barrier from the motor when the barrier is in a safe position.

5. A barrier movement system in accordance with claim 2 comprising a controller for selectively connecting the motor to the first source of electrical power.

6. A barrier movement system in accordance with claim 5 the controller is a programmable platform, programmed to generate the position signals.

7. A barrier movement system in accordance with claim 5 wherein the controller transmits the release signal.

8. A barrier movement system in accordance with claim 2 wherein the position indicating apparatus comprises a switch responsive to a position of the door.

9. A barrier movement system in accordance with claim 2 wherein the position indicating apparatus comprises a tilt indicating switch.

10. A barrier movement system in accordance with claim 2 wherein the position indicating apparatus comprises a tilt switch attached to the door.

11. A barrier movement system in accordance with claim 2 wherein the position indicating apparatus is attached to a connection between the motor and the barrier.

12. A barrier movement system in accordance with claim 11 wherein the movable trolley assembly includes a linearly moving connection between the barrier and the motor.

13. A barrier movement system in accordance with claim 1 wherein the movable trolley assembly comprises a linearly moving connection between the barrier and the motor.

14. A barrier movement system in accordance with claim 13 wherein the release arrangement comprises apparatus for decoupling the barrier from the linearly moving connection.

15. A barrier movement system in accordance with claim 1 wherein the release signal is transmitted by a wireless transmitter controlled by a user.