Method of using a door operator

• US 7,484,333 B2
• Filed: 11/01/2007
• Issued: 02/03/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 06/30/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ASSA ABLOY Accessories and Door Controls Group, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Yale Security Incorporated (Assa Abloy AB)
• Inventors: Tadlock, Robert, Kirkpatrick, Lana, Presely, John, Schoener, Jeff, Harris, Tom, Houser, Blue, Lampley, Sidney J.
• Primary Examiner(s): REDMAN, JERRY E
• Application Number:
  US11/933,858
• Publication Number:
  US 20080052997A1
• Time in Patent Office: 460 Days
• Field of Search: 491/39, 491/40, 493/39, 493/40, 493/41, 493/45, 495/06
• US Class Current: 49/506
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/40 Safety devices, e.g. detection of obstructions or end positions
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/63 operated by swinging arms
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 3/10 with a spring, other than a torsion spring, and a piston, the axes of which are the same or lie in the same direction
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2201/216 Clutches
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2201/246 by motors, magnets, springs or weights
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2201/462 Electromagnets
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2201/646 continuous, e.g. closed loops
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2201/656 Chains
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/132 Doors

Abstract

A drive mechanism is provided for a door operator, comprising a drive member and a driven member. The drive member includes a protrusion, the edges of the protrusion forming first and second driving surfaces which define a free space of at least about 90° there between. The driven member includes a protrusion, the sides of the protrusion form a first and a second driven surface, respectively. The drive member is adapted to be operably connected to between a motor assembly for rotating the drive member and a door closer assembly rotating with the driven member. The drive member and the driven member are disposed for relative rotation in substantially the same plane such that the driven member protrusion moves in the free space defined by the driving surfaces of the drive member protrusion. Rotation of the drive member from a first angular orientation to a second angular orientation in a direction toward an adjacent driven surface causes rotation of the driven member for powered opening of the door from the closed position to the open position. The driven member protrusion moves in the free space without engaging the protrusion surfaces when the door is opened manually from the closed position and allowed to close.

Claims

1. A method using a door operator for selectively automatically operating a door positioned within a door frame and hinged along one edge to the door frame for movement between a closed position and an open position, the door operator including a bi-directional motor assembly coupled to a source of electrical energy and an automatic door closer assembly operably connected to the door, the door closer assembly including means for providing a force on the door in a closing direction when the door is in an open position for moving the door to the closed position, the door operating method comprising:

providing a drive mechanism adapted to be disposed between the motor assembly and the door closer assembly, the drive mechanism comprising;

a drive member including a protrusion formed on the surface of the drive member, one edge of the protrusion forming a first driving surface and the other edge of the protrusion forming a second driving surface, the driving surfaces defining a free space between the driving surfaces, the drive member adapted to be operably connected to the motor assembly for rotating the drive member about an axis through an arc in a first direction from a first angular orientation corresponding to the closed position of the door to a second angular orientation corresponding to the open position of the door and about the axis through an arc in an opposite direction from the second angular orientation to the first angular orientation, wherein rotation of the drive member from the first angular orientation to the second angular orientation corresponds to movement of the door from the closed position to the open position, and

a driven member including a protrusion formed on the surface of the driven member, one side of the protrusion forming a first driven surface and the other side of the protrusion forming a second driven surface, the driven member disposed for relative rotation adjacent to the drive member such that the respective protrusions rotate in substantially the same plane and driven member protrusion moves in the free space defined by the driving surfaces of the drive member protrusion, the driven member adapted to be connected for rotation with the door closer assembly about an axis through an arc between a first angular orientation corresponding to the closed position of the door and a second angular orientation corresponding to the open position of the door and about the axis through an arc in an opposite direction from the second angular orientation to the first angular orientation, wherein rotation of the driven member from the second angular orientation to the first angular orientation corresponds to movement of the door from an open position to the closed position,

wherein when the drive member and the driven member are in their respective first angular orientations, one of the driving surfaces of the protrusion of the drive member is adjacent to one of the driven surfaces of the protrusion of the driven member;

rotating the drive member from the first angular orientation toward the second angular orientation in a direction toward the adjacent driven surface causing rotation of the driven member for powered opening of the door from the closed position to an open position; and

rotating the drive member toward the first angular orientation of the drive member in a direction away from the adjacent driven surface at a speed faster than the door closer assembly means rotates the driven member toward the first angular orientation of the driven member such that the protrusion moves in the free space without engaging the protrusion surfaces when the door is allowed to close.

2. A door operating method as recited in claim 1, further comprising the step of terminating power to the motor when the door is the closed position.

3. A door operating method as recited in claim 2, further comprising the step of stalling the motor for a predetermined period of time when the door is in an open position.