Universal power operator

• US 7,010,993 B2
• Filed: 02/28/2003
• Issued: 03/14/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 03/01/2002
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: The Chamberlain Group LLC
• Original Assignee: The Chamberlain Group, Inc. (The Chamberlain Group LLC)
• Inventors: Casali, Celestino, Schuda, David
• Primary Examiner(s): FENSTERMACHER, DAVID MORGAN
• Application Number:
  US10/377,578
• Publication Number:
  US 20030233901A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,110 Days
• Field of Search: 744/25, 74/892.3, 74/892.7, 744/248, 74/892.9, 380/610
• US Class Current: 74/89.29
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/622 using screw-and-nut mechanisms
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2201/214 Disengaging means
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2201/244 by manual operation
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2201/716 Pinions
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2800/72 Sets of mutually exchangeable elements
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/40 for gates
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/18624 Plural inputs, single output
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/19828 Worm
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/19953 Worm and helical

Abstract

A universal power operator for shifting a movable barrier, such as a gate, and a circuit control system for operation thereof, is shown that allows the operator to be assembled for both a left-hinged or right-hinged movable barrier. The universal power operator includes generally an actuator arm, a housing assembly, a gear assembly, and a modular drive motor. The housing assembly contains generally symmetrical portions allowing the user to interchangeably assemble the motor in one of two positions for use with a left-hinged or right-hinged movable barrier.

Claims

1. A universal power operator for shifting a left-hinged or right-hinged operating movable barrier between open and closed positions thereof, the power operator comprising:

an actuator arm for being connected to the movable barrier to push and pull the movable barrier between the open and closed positions thereof;

a housing assembly in which the arm is shiftably received along a housing axis to be axially retracted into the housing and axially extended out from the housing for shifting of the movable barrier;

a gear assembly operable to shift the arm between the retracted and the extended positions thereof;

a modular drive motor including an output shaft for driving the gear assembly; and

portions of the housing assembly generally symmetrically arranged on either side of the housing axis to form symmetrical spaces in which the output shaft of the modular drive motor can be received for driving of the gear assembly to allow the motor to be repositioned in one of two positions relative to the housing assembly based on whether the movable barrier is a left-hinged or right-hinged operating moveable barrier.

2. The universal power operator of claim 1, wherein the gear assembly comprises an irreversible worm gear for inhibiting opening of the moveable barrier when the barrier is closed.

3. The universal power operator of claim 1, further comprising a circuit control system for driving the motor in one direction to open the movable barrier when it is in a left-hinged movable barrier and for riving the motor in the opposite direction to open the movable barrier when it is a right-hinged movable barrier.

4. The universal power operator of claim 1, further comprising a casing for supporting and operatively connecting the motor to the gear assembly.

5. The universal power operator of claim 4, wherein the casing is further comprised of two shells, one of which contains an aperture allowing the motor to be operably connected to the gear assembly.

6. The universal power operator of claim 5, wherein the two shells can be interchangeably connected to either lateral side of the housing axis allowing the motor to be interchangeably mounted to the operator on either side of the housing axis.