Motorized barrier adjustment apparatus and method

• US 8,125,167 B1
• Filed: 10/03/2008
• Issued: 02/28/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 10/03/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The Watt Stopper Incorporated (Legrand SA)
• Original Assignee: Homerun Holdings Corporation
• Inventors: Mullet, Willis Jay, Real, Doug, Bardin, Richard, Brunk, Darrin W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ro, Bentsu
• Application Number:
  US12/287,001
• Time in Patent Office: 1,243 Days
• Field of Search: 318/256, 318264-266, 318/283, 318/286, 318466-469
• US Class Current: 318/265
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/70 with automatic actuation
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/79 using time control
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2800/112 Back driving the transmission or motor

Abstract

A motorized barrier adjustment apparatus and method includes, in particular, in accordance with one embodiment, motorized barrier adjustment apparatus with a barrier. A controllable motor is connected with the barrier, the controllable motor is conformed to detect motion of the barrier such that movement of the barrier within a predetermined amount activates the motor to move the barrier and where movement of the barrier beyond the predetermined amount does not activate the motor such that the barrier remains where it is moved.

Claims

1. A motorized barrier adjustment apparatus comprising:

a. a barrier wherein said barrier surrounds a barrier storage tube;

b. a controllable motor connected with said barrier wherein said controllable motor is contained within said barrier storage tube, said controllable motor conformed to detect motion of said barrier such that movement of said barrier within a predetermined amount activates said motor to move said barrier and wherein movement of said barrier beyond said predetermined amount does not activate said motor such that said barrier remains where it is moved.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a counterbalance connected with said barrier and wherein said controllable motor can be back driven.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said controllable motor moves said barrier a maximum amount in the direction of initial movement of said barrier.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said predetermined amount is selected from a group consisting of:

time and distance.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said predetermined amount of time is approximately one second and said predetermined amount of distance is approximately one inch.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 further including an extension rod connected with said barrier.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said extension rod is connected with said barrier with a bias and hinged to allow it to fold.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of barriers and controllable motors connected with each other such that movement of one barrier results in proportionally identical movement of the remaining plurality of barriers.

9. A motorized barrier adjustment apparatus for covering an opening in a structure comprising:

a. a barrier stored on a barrier storage tube connected with said structure above the opening;

b. a motor connected with said barrier;

c. a gear reducer connected with said motor;

d. a controller connected with said motor wherein said controller is conformed to detect motion of said barrier such that upon manual movement of said barrier within a predetermined amount said controller activates said motor to move said barrier and wherein upon manual movement of said barrier beyond said predetermined amount said controller does not activate said motor such that said barrier remains where it is moved; and

e. a power source connected with said controller and said motor wherein said motor and said gear reducer are contained within said barrier storage tube.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 further comprising a counterbalance connected with said barrier and wherein said motor can be back driven.

11. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said predetermined amount is selected from a group consisting of:

time and distance.

12. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said controller stores time counts and distance counts.

13. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein said time counts are produced by a clock in said controller.

14. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein said distance counts are generated by commutator pulses from said motor.

15. The apparatus of claim 9 further comprising a plurality of barriers connected with each other such that manual movement of one barrier results in proportionally identical movement of the remaining plurality of barriers.

16. A motorized barrier adjustment method for covering an opening in a structure comprising:

a. providing a barrier stored on a barrier storage tube connected with said structure above the opening with a motor connected with said barrier, a gear reducer connected with said motor, a controller connected with said motor wherein said controller is conformed to detect motion of said barrier such that upon movement of said barrier within a predetermined amount said controller activates said motor to move said barrier and wherein upon movement of said barrier beyond a predetermined amount said controller does not activate said motor such that said barrier remains where it is moved and a power source connected with said controller and said motor wherein said barrier, said motor and said gear reducer are contained within said barrier storage tube; and

b. moving said barrier within said predetermined amount.

17. The method of claim 16 further comprising not moving said barrier within said predetermined amount and instead moving said barrier beyond said predetermined amount.

18. The method of claim 16 further comprising a counterbalance connected with said barrier and wherein said motor can be back driven.

19. The method of claim 16 further comprising:

a. providing a plurality of barriers connected with each other such that manual movement of one barrier results in proportionally identical movement of the remaining plurality of barriers; and

b. moving one of said barriers.