Locking apparatus for a garage door

• US 7,240,524 B1
• Filed: 03/20/2006
• Issued: 07/10/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 06/15/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Bryan A. White, Clyde D. Herman
• Original Assignee: Bryan A. White, Clyde D. Herman
• Inventors: Herman, Clyde D., White, Bryan A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Gall; Lloyd A.
• Application Number:
  US11/384,714
• Time in Patent Office: 477 Days
• Field of Search: 702/791, 702/57, 70280-282, 702/787, 70D/IG.11, 292/35, 292/36, 292/39, 292/144, 292/DIG.36, 491/97, 494/49, 160/207, 160/213
• US Class Current: 70/257
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 2047/0017 with rotary motion
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 2047/0031 of the elastic type
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 47/0012 with rotary electromotors actuators with rotary electromotors per se H02K7/06, H02K23/68
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 63/0069 Override systems, e.g. allowing opening from inside without the key, even when locked from outside E05B65/1086, E05B9/105 take precedence; by movable striker E05B63/246
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 65/0021 for overhead or roll-up doors, e.g. garage doors
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 292/36 Overhead door latches
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 70/11 Garage door lock
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/0843 Gear
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/1021 Motor
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/5978 With switch
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7107 And alternately mechanically actuated by a key, dial, etc.
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7113 Projected and retracted electrically

Abstract

A locking apparatus for a garage door which utilizes a pair of actuators with one actuator being mounted at a side edge of the garage door and the other actuator mounted at the opposite side edge of the garage door. One actuator is mounted on a carrier gear which connects to a worm gear which is driven by an electric motor. Each operator connects with a locking bolt with there being a separate locking bolt for each actuator. Each locking bolt is to be movable in conjunction with the door jamb of the garage door to lock the garage door to the jamb. Both actuators pivot in the same direction. Both locking bolts are linearly slidable. A connecting member connects between the first actuator and the second actuator so that the actuators move in unison. One actuator has a back end which extends through a slot formed in a latch housing. This back end is manually accessible to cause the actuator to move manually if electricity fails.

Claims

1. A locking apparatus for a garage door adapted to be locked to a door jamb comprising:

a first actuator designed to be pivotally mounted on the garage door directly adjacent a first side edge of the garage door, said first actuator being mounted on a carrier gear, a worm gear connecting with said carrier gear, an electric motor to cause rotation of said worm gear and hence pivoting of said carrier gear and said first actuator, said first actuator mounted on a latch housing;

a second actuator designed to be pivotally mounted on the garage door directly adjacent a second side edge of the garage door;

a connecting member connected to both said first actuator and said second actuator so both said first actuator and said second actuator will move in unison;

a first locking bolt connected to said first actuator, movement of said first actuator causes sliding movement of said first locking bolt between a first locking position in conjunction with the door jamb and a first unlocking position spaced from the door jamb;

said first locking bolt having a cutout, said cutout having a cutout wall, said first actuator having a rounded front end which has a somewhat flattened configuration, said flattened configuration to abut against said cutout wall when said first locking bolt is in said first locking position producing an “

over-the-center”

position which prevents movement of said first locking bolt by interference being created between said first locking bolt and said first actuator, movement of said first locking bolt is only possible by initiating movement of said first actuator;

said first actuator having a back end which extends through a slot formed in said latch housing the first actuator extends exteriorly of said latch housing, said back end being manually accessible to cause said first actuator to pivot to cause said first locking bolt to move;

a second locking bolt connected to said second actuator, movement of said second actuator causes sliding movement of said second locking bolt between a second locking position in conjunction with the door jamb and a second unlocking position spaced from the door jamb; and

whereby with said first locking bolt in said first locking position and said second locking bolt in said second locking position the garage door is fixed to the door jamb, whereby with said first locking bolt in said first unlocking position and second locking bolt in said second unlocking position the garage door is movable relative to the door jamb.

2. The locking apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein:

said first actuator being connected in conjunction with a limit switch, said limit switch, when activated, to cause said first actuator and said second actuator to cease movement.

3. The locking apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein:

said first locking bolt being movable in a direction opposite to movement of said second locking bolt.

4. The locking apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein:

said first locking bolt being linearly movable, said second locking bolt being linearly movable.

5. The locking apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein:

pivotable movement of said first actuator being in the same direction as the pivotable movement of said second actuator.

6. The locking apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein:

said connecting member comprising a thin rod.