Security automatic garage door closer

• US 8,561,348 B2
• Filed: 03/02/2012
• Issued: 10/22/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 03/02/2012
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Joseph John Kurth, Steven Joseph Kurth
• Original Assignee: Joseph John Kurth, Steven Joseph Kurth
• Inventors: Kurth, Steven Joseph, Kurth, Joseph John
• Primary Examiner(s): REDMAN, JERRY E
• Application Number:
  US13/410,433
• Publication Number:
  US 20130227886A1
• Time in Patent Office: 599 Days
• Field of Search: 49/29, 49/30, 491/97, 491/99
• US Class Current: 49/30
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/79 using time control
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/106 for garages

Abstract

A security kit is provided for automatic closing of a garage door after a predetermined time of garage door being open. The security kit comprises a replacement wall switch for operating the garage door operating mechanism. The replacement wall switch comprises a timer module and a sensor disposed to detect that the garage door is open or closed. The sensor is coupled to a timer input. The sensor and the timer cooperatively operate such that when the sensor detects that the garage door is closed, the timer is reset and disabled, and further cooperatively operate such that when the sensor detects that the garage door is open, the timer initiates timing a predetermined time period. The timer operates a switch at end of the predetermined time period to cause the garage door mechanism to close the garage door.

Claims

1. A security kit for a garage door operator comprising a reversible electric motor operable to open and close a garage door along a path, a wall switch connected to said electric motor with a pair of conductors for operating said electric motor, and safety apparatus for preventing said garage door from closing on an obstruction in the path of said garage door when said garage door is closing, said security kit comprising:

a replacement wall switch for operating said electric motor, said replacement wall switch comprising;

a housing, a first normally open switch carried by said housing and connected to said pair of conductors;

a timer disposed within said housing;

a second switch disposed within said housing and connected in parallel with said first switch, said second switch being operable by said timer to provide a momentary closure between said pair of conductors, said timer comprising a timer input;

a sensor disposed to detect that said garage door is open or closed, said sensor coupled to said timer input;

said sensor and said timer cooperatively operable such that when said sensor detects that said garage door is closed, said timer is reset and disabled, and operable such that when said sensor detects that said garage door is open, said timer initiates timing a predetermined time period, said timer operating said second switch at the end of said predetermined time period; and

said sensor comprises a transmitter, said transmitter being operable to generate a door open signal when said garage door is open; and

said housing comprising a receiver responsive to said door open signal to initiate operation of said timer.

2. A security kit in accordance with claim 1, wherein:

said replacement wall switch comprises a timer actuator coupled to said timer, said timer actuator operable to enable and disable operation of said timer.

3. A security kit in accordance with claim 1, comprising:

a time selector operable to select said predetermined time period.

4. A security kit in accordance with claim 3, wherein:

said time selector comprises a slide device carried on said housing, said slide device is slideable to select said predetermined time period.

5. A security kit in accordance with claim 3, wherein:

said predetermined time period is selectable over a predetermined time range.

6. A security kit in accordance with claim 5, wherein:

said predetermined time range extends from a minimum time period to a maximum time period.

7. A security kit in accordance with claim 1, wherein:

said sensor comprises a cam operable switch, said cam being in a first position when said garage door is closed and in a second position when said garage door is open.

8. A security kit in accordance with claim 1, wherein:

said sensor comprises at least a portion in direct engagement with said garage door when said garage door is in a closed position.

9. A security kit in accordance with claim 1, wherein:

said housing is wall mountable in place of said wall switch.

10. A security kit in accordance with claim 1, wherein said wall switch comprises a light switch operable to control a light carried by said garage door opener, said security kit, comprising:

a light switch carried by said housing to operate said light.

11. A security kit in accordance with claim 1, wherein:

said housing comprises a battery holder for holding one or more batteries to power said timer.

12. A security kit in accordance with claim 1, comprising:

a first battery holder connected to said transmitter for providing power to said transmitter.

13. A security kit in accordance with claim 12, comprising:

a second battery holder disposed in said housing for providing power to said receiver.

14. A security kit for a garage door operator comprising a reversible electric motor operable to open and close a garage door along a path, a wall switch connected to said electric motor with a pair of conductors for operating said electric motor, and safety apparatus for preventing said garage door from closing on an obstruction in the path of said garage door when said garage door is closing, said security kit comprising:

a replacement wall switch for operating said electric motor, said replacement wall switch comprising;

a housing, a first normally open switch carried by said housing and connected to said pair of conductors;

a timer disposed within said housing, said timer comprising a timer actuator operable to enable and disable operation of said timer;

a second switch disposed within said housing and connected in parallel with said first switch, said second switch being operable by said timer to provide a momentary closure between said pair of conductors, said timer comprising a timer input;

a sensor disposed to detect that said garage door is open or closed, said sensor coupled to said timer input;

said sensor and said timer cooperatively operable such that when said sensor detects that said garage door is closed, said timer is reset and disabled, and operable such that when said sensor detects that said garage door is open, said timer initiates timing a predetermined time period, said timer operating said second switch at the end of said predetermined time period; and

said sensor comprises a battery holder for holding one or more batteries, said sensor coupling said one or more batteries in said battery holder to said timer when said garage door is open and disconnecting said one or more batteries from said timer when said garage door is closed.

15. A security kit for a garage door operator comprising a reversible electric motor operable to open and close a garage door along a path, a wall switch connected to said electric motor with a pair of conductors for operating said electric motor, and safety apparatus for preventing said garage door from closing on an obstruction in the path of said garage door when said garage door is closing, said security kit comprising:

a replacement wall switch for operating said electric motor, said replacement wall switch comprising;

a housing, a first normally open switch carried by said housing and connected to said pair of conductors;

a timer disposed within said housing, said timer comprising a timer actuator operable to enable and disable operation of said timer;

a second switch disposed within said housing and connected in parallel with said first switch, said second switch being operable by said timer to provide a momentary closure between said pair of conductors, said timer comprising a timer input;

a sensor disposed to detect that said garage door is open or closed, said sensor coupled to said timer input;

said sensor and said timer cooperatively operable such that when said sensor detects that said garage door is closed, said timer is reset and disabled, and operable such that when said sensor detects that said garage door is open, said timer initiates timing a predetermined time period, said timer operating said second switch at the end of said predetermined time period; and

said sensor coupled to a power source, said sensor coupling said power source to said timer when said garage door is open and disconnecting said power source from said timer when said garage door is closed.