System and method for controlling a door

• US 7,012,508 B1
• Filed: 03/24/2004
• Issued: 03/14/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 04/10/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Briggs & Stratton Corporation
• Original Assignee: Briggs & Stratton Corporation
• Inventors: Shiely, Vince, Blonski, Jeffrey C., Tharman, Paul A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Pope, Daryl C
• Application Number:
  US10/807,685
• Time in Patent Office: 720 Days
• Field of Search: 340/426.29, 340/687, 340/539.1, 340/686.1, 56/101, 56/147
• US Class Current: 340/426.29
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00793 by Hertzian waves
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00928 for garage doors
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00182 operated with unidirectional data transmission between data carrier and locks

Abstract

A door opener control system for outdoor power equipment. The system may generally include a transmitter coupled to the outdoor power equipment, a switch in communication with the transmitter, and a power supply, such that the transmitter is operable to remotely control the door between an open position and a closed position in response to a condition of the switch. The power supply may include a battery and the transmitter may be programmed to operate with a variety of receivers. The switch may be implemented with a variety of contact and non-contact type switches mounted on an instrument panel of the outdoor power equipment.

Claims

1. A door control system for outdoor power equipment having an engine, the system comprising:

a transmitter coupled to the outdoor power equipment;

a switch in communication with the transmitter; and

a power supply;

wherein the transmitter is operable to remotely control the door between an open position and a closed position in response to a condition of the switch.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the outdoor power equipment includes at least one of a tractor, a walk-behind lawnmower, and a portable generator.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the transmitter includes a circuit that transmits information to a receiver associated with the door.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the circuit is operable to perform security code calculations.

5. The system of claim 3, wherein the transmitter is operable to communicate with a plurality of types of receivers.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the switch includes at least one of a contact and a non-contact type switch.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the switch is in communication with the transmitter using a cable.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the switch is mounted in on an instrument panel of the tractor remote from the transmitter.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the switch and transmitter are integrated as a single unit mounted on an instrument panel.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the transmitter is coupled to the engine.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the power supply includes at least one of a battery, a magnet moving past a coil and an alternator.

12. A method of implementing a door control system for outdoor power equipment having an engine, the method comprising:

mounting a transmitter on the outdoor power equipment;

connecting the transmitter module to a power supply;

mounting a switch on a panel of the outdoor power equipment accessible to an operator;

establishing communication between the switch and the transmitter;

activating the transmitter in response to a condition of the switch; and

moving the door between an open position and a closed position.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising:

transmitting information to a receiver associated with the door.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising:

operating the transmitter to perform security code calculations.

15. The method of claim 13, further comprising:

providing a transmitter operable to control a plurality of types of receivers.

16. The method of claim 12, further comprising:

providing at least one of a contact and a non-contact type switch.

17. The method of claim 12, wherein said communication establishing step includes coupling the switch to the transmitter module using a cable.

18. The method of claim 12, further comprising:

integrating the switch and transmitter as a single unit mounted on an instrument panel.

19. The method of claim 12, further comprising:

coupling the transmitter to the engine.

20. The method of claim 12, further comprising:

providing a power supply that includes at least one of a battery, a magnet moving past a coil, and an alternator.

21. The method of claim 12, further comprising:

providing outdoor power equipment that includes at least one of a tractor, a walk-behind lawnmower, and a portable generator.