US2703235A

US2703235A - Door operating device

Info

Publication number: US2703235A
Application number: US282055A
Authority: US
Inventors: Kenneth F Reamey
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1952-04-12
Filing date: 1952-04-12
Publication date: 1955-03-01
Anticipated expiration: 1972-03-01

Description

March 1, 1955 K. F. REAMEY 2,703,235

DOOR OPERATING DEVICE Filed April 12, 1952 3 Sheets-Sheet l HUB NU J 67 3 I: 67 24 180 Q a 15z J76 180 F2 J76 IN VEN TOR.

March 1, 1955 Filed April 12, 1952 K. F. REAMEY DOOR OPERATING DEVICE 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 March 1, 1955 K. F. REAMEY DOOR OPERATING DEVICE Filed April 12, 1952 5 Sheets-Sheet an obstacle while being closed.

United States Patent O DOOR OPERATING DEVICE Kenneth F. Reamey, Hot Springs, Ark.

Application April 12, 1952, Serial No. 282,055

8 Claims. (Cl. 268-59) The present invention relates to improved door operating devices and, particularly, to electric motor driven devices for automatically opening and closing doors of the overhead type commonly employed in garages.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved door operating device of the character referred to that is extremely economical in manufacture and assembly so that the same may be made commercially available for use in private garages as well as commercial garages.

In accordance with the present invention, I provide an improved door operating device comprising, briefly, a reversible electric motor adapted for operative driving connection to a continuous cable, novel circuit means for controlling operation of the motor, and a track guided carriage adapted to be connected to the door and adapted to be moved by the cable upon actuation of the cable to open and close the door. I

To establish operative connection between motor and cable, the present invention provides novel clutch means normally disengaged to accommodate manual actuation of the door but adapted upon energization of the motor to operatively connect the motor and cable to effect positive actuation of the cable. The driving connection between the motor and the cable includes a pulley over which the cable is reeved, a friction wheel associated with the pulley and adapted to be engaged by a friction sleeve carried by the drive shaft of the motor, and a clutch means which is associated with the motor drive shaft. The pulley, friction wheel and motor are mounted within a housing to provide a compact structure. Due to the novel arrangement of parts, the operating device of the present invention comprises, primarily, the track and carriage, the cable and the operator housing.

The novel circuit means of the present invention is substantially completely enclosed in a casing adapted for mounting in the operator housing and provided With conventional electric connectors for connection to a suitable source of electrical supply. The circuit means includes a switch disposed in the casing and adapted for actuation upon actuation of the cable to serve as a limit switch for stopping operation of the motor as the door approaches either limit of its movement. In one embodiment thereof, the circuit means includes a relay for automatically ceasing operation of the motor should the door encounter an obstacle. In another embodiment, means are provided for reversing the direction of rotation of the motor to retract the door should same encounter in all embodiments, suitable means may be provided externally of the garage for contact by the vehicle to effect automatic operation of the device of the present invention. All of the circuit means lend themselves to installations of use wherein a plurality of operating devices may be actuated electrically from external means adapted to be contacted by various vehicles. In a further embodiment, I provide current flow blocking means, preferably in the form of a germanium crystal, for controlling selective opera tion of a plurality of devices from a common vehicle contactor means. In all embodiments thereof, the circuit means of the present invention may include a light for the interior of the garage adapted to be energized during opening and closing movement of the garage door and whenever the garage door is open, but automatically shut off when the garage door is closed.

Heretofore, commercially practical door operating devices have included chains as the power transmission 2,703,235 Patented Mar. 1, 1955 means for the reason that operative driving connection could not be made to a cable. An object of the present invention is to provide novel pulley means for positively grasping and moving the cable without requiring extreme tautness in the cable.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent in the following detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention, wherein reference is made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of an overhead garage door having the operating device of the present invention associated therewith;

Figure 2 is a side elevation of the door operating device at the door end thereof with the door in closed position, the view showing one embodiment of the track carriage of the present invention; Figure 3 is a side view, partly in section and partly in elevation, at the operator end of the door operating device of the present invention with the door in open position, the view showing a second embodiment of the track carriage;

Figure 4 is a top view, partly in section and partly in plan, of the operator housing and circuit means casing;

Figure 5 is a partial side view, on an enlarged scale, of the motor drive shaft, the clutch means, the friction wheel and the cable pulley of the present invention;

Figure 6 is a wiring diagram of one embodiment of the circuit means of the present invention;

Figure 7 is a partial vertical section of a door carrying means for elfecting reversal of the motor when the door contacts an obstacle;

Figure 8 is a view similar to Figure 7 of a second embodiment of the switch means for effecting reversal of the motor when the door contacts an obstacle;

Figure 9 is a wiring diagram of the circuit means within which switches such as those shown in Figures 7 and 8 are included, the diagram including external devices adapted to be contacted by a vehicle to efiect actuation of the door operating device; and

Figure 10 is a portion of the wiring diagram of a circuit including separate current blocking and relay means, which means are adapted to be included in the circuit of either Figure 6 or Figure 9.

Referring now to the drawings, and particularly to Figure 1, a conventional type of overhead garage door is indicated at 20. The door 20 may be either of the sectional type or of the one piece type as desired, the operating device of the present invention being equally adapted for use with either type of door. As shown, the door 20 comprises a plurality of sections 22 hingedly connected together by means of conventional hinges 24. At the sides thereof, the door 20 may be provided with conventional rollers or the like adapted to run in suitable tracks 26 for guiding movement of the door. The tracks 26 may be suitably supported from the rafters 28 of the garage by bracket means 30 or the like. The housing for the door operating device of the present invention is indicated at 32 and mounted therein at one corner thereof is a casing 34 for the major components of the circuit means of the present invention. The housing 32 may be supported from the rafters 28 of the garage in any suitable manner. Extending forwardly from the housing 32 is a track 36, generally similar to the tracks 26, which is disposed in generally spaced parallel relation with respect to the door when the door is in its up position and, preferably, generally centrally of the door. At the end thereof adjacent the door 20, the track 36 may be secured to the garage structure by a support 38. A carriage 40, including suitable rollers supported by the track 36, is adapted for movement longitudinally of the track in a conventional manner. The carriage 40 includes an arm 42 extending between the carriage and the upper edge of the door. The arm 42 is preferably rigid, but is pivotally connected to at least the door so as to provide a flexible connection between the carriage 40 and the door. To effect reciprocation of the carriage 40 along the track 36, a cable 44 is provided, the cable being continuous and supported at its opposite ends by means of a pulley within the operator housing 32 and a pulley 46 mounted at the forward end of the track 36. The manner in which driving connection is established between the cable 44 and the movable carriage will be described in detail hereinafter.

Referring now to Figure 2, the pulley 46 at the forward end of the track 36 is shown as suitably journaled in a U-shaped bracket 48 adapted to be secured to the lower surface of the track 36. The bracket 48 may, as shown, be suitably secured to a portion of the garage structure, the support 38, to support the door end of the operating device of the present invention. The carriage 40 comprises a frame 50 which may be formed integrally with the arm 42. The frame 40 includes an axle 52 extending upwardly thereof and rotatably supporting a wheel 54 received within the track 36. The track 36 may suitably be generally C-shaped in cross section so as to retain the wheel 54 therein against lateral displacement. The frame 50 includes a sleeve portion or the like through which one run of the cable 44 freely passes. The cable 44 is provided at spaced points on opposite sides of the carriage 50 with a pair of

stops

56 and 58 which may be suitably adjustably secured to the cable 54. The

stops

56 and 58 are of such size as will not pass through the sleeve portion of the frame 50 and thereby engage the frame 50 to move the movable carriage along the track 36 when the cable 44 is actuated. At the forward end thereof, the

arm 42 is pivoted to a bracket 60 suitably secured adjacent the top of the door 20. The pivotal connection between the bracket 60 and the arm 42 is accomplished by a suitable pivot pin 62. A cable 64, which is reeved over the pivot pin 62, is connected at its upper end to the stop 56 and at its lower end may be suitably connected to the latching means for the door 20. As shown in Figure 1, the cable 64 may be connected directly to the operating handle 63 of a conventional latching means which includes a latch 65 at each side of the door and operating bars, straps, or wires 67 extending between the handle 63 and the latches 65. As will be obvious, the latching means is constructed to effect unlatching upon upward movement of the handle 63 ,the apparatus including spring means for biasing the handle 63, Connectors 67, and latches 65 to latching position upon release of the handle. The cable 64 preferably includes a turn buckle 66 to adjust the cable 64 to provide for proper actuation of the latch means of the door 20.

In use, when the door is moved to its closed position, the stop 58 on the cable 54 is disposed in engagement with the sleeve portion of the frame 50. Accordingly, lost motion is provided between the stop 56 and the frame 50 before the frame 50 will be picked up and moved by the cable. During movement of the cable 44 to take up the lost motion between the carriage and the stop 56, the stop 56 is moved to effect actuation of the cable 64 and, thus, of the latching means for the door. Specifically. the handle 63 is moved upwardly to release the latches 65 so that the door is unlatched or unlocked before any movement is imparted thereto as a result of movement of the carriage 50 along the track 36. Upon return movement of the door, the latches will be released to provide a spring effected locking of the door in the usual manner when the door is moved to its closed position. Accordingly, my invention presents one substantial advantage in providing means for automatically unlocking or unlatching the door prior to movement thereof and for automatically conditioning the door latch means for reengagement when the door is closed so that the garage door may always be locked when closed without requiring special actuation manually. Furthermore, the attachment of the cable 64 to the door latching means in no way interferes with or hampers the ability manually to latch and unlatch, lock and unlock the door in a normal or conventional manner.

Referring now to Figure 3, the operator end of the operating device of the present invention is shown, with the door 20 being shown as moved to its open position. The track 36 is adiustably connected to the housing 32 by means of a bolt 68 secured to the track 36 and adjustable by means of a pair of nuts 70 with respect to a bracket 72 carried by the housing 32. Upon adjustment of the nuts 70, the tension of the cable 44 may be varied as will become more clearly apparent as the description proceeds. The carriage shown in Figure 3 differs from the carriage shown in Figure 2 in that the same comprises a frame 74 carrying a pair of wheels 76 disposed within and guided by the track 36. The frame 74 is provided with a sleeve portion or a bore freely accommodating passage therethrough of the cable 44. As described with respect to Figure 2, the

stops

56 and 58 are adjustably mounted on the cable 44 to pick up and move the frame 74 in response to actuation of the cable. An arm 78 is pivotally connected to the carriage 74 at one end and at its opposite end is pivotally connected to the bracket 60 by means of the pivot pin 62. To accommodate various types of doors and various mountings of the track 36 with respect to the door, the arm 78 is provided with a plurality of apertures therethrough adapted to accommodate passage of the pivot pin 62 so that the arm 78 may be pivotally connected in the bracket 69 in adjusted position. The arm 78 of the embodiment of the carriage shown in Figure 3 is pivoted at its opposite ends to the carriage 74 and to the bracket 60 so as to provide for variations in the distance between the track 36 and the door 20 as the door is moved. For example, in some installations, the top edge of the door will be disposed a considerable distance below the track 36 when the door is in its closed position, but when the door is in its open position the upper surface of the door 20 will be disposed immediately adjacent the lower surface of the track 36. To accommodate these variations in the distance between the track and the door, the arm 78 is pivoted at both ends so that the same will insure operative association between the carriage and the door without any possibility of distortion or stress being imparted either to the door or to the door operating device of the present invention.

As is shown in Figures 3 and 4, both runs of the cable 44 extend through the walls of the housing 34 and within the housing 34, the cable 44 is reeved over a pulley 80 mounted on a shaft 82 which is journaled in the top and bottom walls of the housing 32. The shaft 82 also carries a friction wheel 84 adapted to be engaged on the peripheral surface thereof by a friction sleeve 86 carried by the drive shaft of an electric motor 88. The motor 88 is disposed on a vertical axis with the bottom portion thereof protruding through the bottom wall of the housing 32. Intermediate its ends, the motor 88 is pivotally mounted, as at 90, to the housing 32 in such manner that the weight of the motor normally biases or moves the friction sleeve 86 away from the friction wheel 84. Thus, when not energized, the friction sleeve 86 is disposed out of engagement with the friction wheel 84 so that the door 20 may be manually moved without undue friction. As will be apparent, the only resistance to manual actuation of the door 20 would be that provided by the motor 88, so that by disposing the motor normally out of engagement with the remainder of the apparatus, the door may be manually actuated with ease.

Referring now to Figure 5, wherein the friction wheel 84 and friction sleeve 86 and associated apparatus are shown in greater detail, the motor 88 includes an axial drive shaft 92 extending upwardly toward the upper wall of the housing 32. A first sleeve 94 is secured to the shaft 92 and extends substantially throughout the full length of the shaft 92. The sleeve 94, as stated, is secured to the shaft 92 for conjoint rotation therewith. The sleeve may be formed of various types of material as desired, but is preferably formed of wood for purposes which will become more apparent hereinafter. Adjacent the casing of the motor 88, the wooden sleeve 94 carries the friction sleeve 86, which is preferably formed of rubber or the like. The sleeve 86 frictionally engages the wooden sleeve 94 so that the sleeve 96 will be rotated upon rotation of the motor shaft 92. Adjacent the outer end of the shaft 92, wooden sleeve 94 is adapted for the reception of a sleeve or the like of suitable friction material, indicated at 96. The frictional material 96 and the mounting thereof on the wooden sleeve 94 may be such as desired for various installations and may suitably comprise a sleeve of brake shoe material or the like. However, I preferably provide a strip of leather spirally wound on the sleeve 94 to form a sleeve of friction material about the periphery of the sleeve 94. Disposed over the top of the friction material 96 is a sleeve 98 having engagement, but not intimate binding engagement, with the friction material 96. The sleeve 98 is preferably formed of metal and is adapted to be clutched to the motor shaft 92 by means of the friction material 96. Adjacent the outer end thereof, the sleeve 98 is provided with a laterally extending portion 100, which may suitably comprise a generally U-shaped clip, adapted for the reception of a clevis 102. The clevis 102 is connected to a tie rod 104 which extends radially outward of the sleeve 98 in the direction of the friction mouse wheel 84 and is anchored at the free end thereof. to the housing 32 by means of an eye bolt 106 extending. through the wall of the housing. The tie rod 104 preferably extends radially of both the motor shaft 92 and the friction wheel 84 and is preferably anchored to the housing 32 at a point slightly beyond the axis of the wheel 84 in a direction away from the motor shaft 92.

As will be apparent, the tie rod 104 normally tends to prevent rotation of the sleeve 98 as motion is imparted to the sleeve from the shaft 92 through the clutch means 96. However, since the motor 88 is pivotally mounted at 90 and since the friction sleeve 86 is normally spaced from the peripheral surface of the friction wheel 84, slight rotary movement will be imparted to the sleeve 98 upon actuation of the motor 92 so that the sleeve will tend to wind the tie rod 104 thereon. The tie rod 104 being anchored to the housing 32 thus serves the purpose of pivotally moving the motor 88 towards the friction wheel 84 to thus bring the friction sleeve 86 into frictional engagement with the peripheral surface of the friction wheel 84' so that motion is imparted to the friction wheel 84 from the motor 88. Due to possible binding between the sleeve 86 and the friction wheel 84, the motor 88 may upon occasion be unable to disengage the friction Wheel and sleeve as a result of its weight alone. To assist in moving the friction sleeve 86 away from the wheel 84, the tie rod 104 is preferably formed of springy metallic stock so as to resiliently urge the

sleeves

98 and 86 away from the Wheel 84 when the motor is not energized. Suitable ma-' terial for the tie rod 104, which I have found to be highly practical in use, is a conventional bicycle wheel spoke.

As motion is imparted to the friction Wheel 84 from the motor 88, substantial tangential forces are encountered and while the pivotal mounting 90 of the motor 88 may, in most cases, be sufiicient to counteract the tangential force, I prefer to provide means for positively holding the free end of the motor drive shaft against displacement tangentially of the friction wheel 84. As shown in Figure 5, a collar 108 is rotatably mounted on the sleeve 98 and is provided at the opposite sides thereof, in a plane transverse to the plane of the tie rod 104, with a pair of ties 110 extending radially of the shaft 92 and suitably anchored at spaced points to the housing 32 to prevent movement of the shaft 92 tangentially with respect to the friction wheel 84. To retain the clutch and driving means on the shaft of the motor, an end plate 109 is secured in abutting relation to the sleeves 94 and 98 by means of nuts 111 threaded on the shaft 92.

As briefly pointed out hereinbefore, considerable difficulty has been encountered in the past with respect to door operating devices because of the problem of establishing positive driving connection between the motor and the door actuating transmission means. In particular, practical devices heretofore have refrained from the use of an ordinary cable for the reason that driving connection could not be made thereto. According to the present invention, I provide an improved pulley means at the drive end of the cable for imparting positive movement thereto to effect operation and movement of the door. As shown in Figure 5, the improved pulley means of the present invention, the pulley being indicated generally at 80, comprises a pair of pulley sections 112 which are outwardly and oppositely flared at the peripheral portions thereof to provide a generally V-shaped groove adapted for the reception of the cable 44. The plate sections 112 are preferably formed of sheet metal and have a certain degree of resiliency with respect to one another so as to be able to flex apart slightly. The angle defined by the flared portion of the two plates is preferably approximately 30. Between the two plate sections 112, the pulley 80 may include a center plate 114 to which the sections 112 are secured. As shown, the marginal or peripheral edge of the center plate 114 is preferably disposed slightly inward of the bottom of the V-shaped groove defined by the plate sections 112 so that the portions of the plate sections extending radially outward of the plate 114 are adapted to flex with respect to one another. However, the sections 112 may be suitably secured together in abutting relation, preferably at points spaced inwardly of the apex of the V. Due to the resiliency or capability of flexation of the plate sections 112, the pulley 80, when actuated, positively grasps the cable 44 by wedging the same between the pulley sections to impart positive driving movement thereto. I have found that the cable may have a substantial amount of slack therein and yet the pulley 80- will so grasp the cable 44. as to impart movement thereto unless the door is blocked bysome. obstacle that will present considerably more resistance to movement than would be met with in normal opera-tion of the door. When such an obstacle is engaged by the door, the pulley 80 does not merely slip freely with respect to the cable 44, but alternately grasps and releases the cable so that positive driving connection will be immediately reestablished upon removal of the obstacle.

Due to the provision of a relatively large friction wheel 84, to the provision of a relatively small friction sleeve on the motor sh aft and due to the high degree of frictional engagement between the sleeve 86 and the wheel 84, as is provided by forming both. members of rubber, the motor 88 may be of extremely small size. I have found, for example, that a motor having a rating of ,5 H. P. is en.- tirely adequate for operating the door of private garages.

With reference to the housing 32 for enclosing the major portion of the operating means of the present in.- vention, I have shown in. Figures 1, 4 and 5 portions of the operating mechanism extending exteriorly of the housing. If the motor is provided with a fuse it is desirable to have the portion of the motor containing the fuse extending exteriorly of the housing. However, withv respect to the other portions of the operating means that I have shown extending exteriorly of the case, it will be appreciated that the case can be enlarged to fully encompass those portions. The housing 32 may be formed of any suitable material, such as, wood, various types of plastics, or the like. However, it is preferred. that the casing. 34 for the electrical apparatus of the present invention be of fireproof construction, such as being formed of metal.

The circuit means of the present invention will be described in detail hereinafter, but as shown in Figure 4, the casing 34 for the circuit means is provided in the wall thereof adjacent the motor 88 with a four pole female power socket 116 adapted for the reception of a mating male socket 118 constituting the power leads to the motor 88. Preferably in the top wall thereof, the casing 34 is provided with a three pole male power socket 129, which is preferably recessed with respect to the wall of the casing, adapted for the reception of a mating female plug from an electrical supply source. Adjacent the socket 120, a four pole female socket 122 is provided. The socket 122 is adapted for the reception of a mating power lead from the receiver of remote radio control apparatus or the like for remotely energizing the operating means of the present invention, as will become more fully apparent hereinafter. The socket 122 is provided principally as a convenience to adapt the device of the present invention for actuation by remote radio control apparatus, but is not required. Accordingly, to render the construction and the assembly of the device more economical, the socket 122 may be readily omitted in instances wherein radio control is not to be provided. As will be apparent from the foregoing, all of the power sockets are so arranged and related to one another that any danger of exposure to energized leads is eliminated. On one of the walls thereof disposed to the exterior of the housing 32, the casing 34 is provided with a terminal plate or assembly 124 adapted to receive the leads from suitable actuating means for the device of the present invention. As will be pointed out hereinafter, the terminals 124 are subjected only to a very low voltage and accordingly the same may be exposed as shown in Figure 4. As shown in Figure 4, three terminals are provided at the plate 124, but as will become apparent in the following description of the circuit means of the present invention, the terminal plate 124 may carry two, three, or more terminals, as required for particular installations.

The circuit means of the present invention includes a pair of

switches

126 and 128 mounted within the casing 34 and each having an actuator 130 extending through v a wall of the casing. The

switches

126 and 128 are preferably each double pole double throw switches, one of which is adapted to serve as a limit switch, and the other of which is adapted to serve as a switch for conditioning the motor for operation in opposite directions. For purposes of convenience, the switch 126 will be referred to as a limit switch for breaking the motor circuit at both limits of door movement and the switch 128 will be referred to as a conditioning switch.

At the portion thereof mounting the casing 34, the

housing 32 is provided with a pair of spaced

parallel walls

132 and 134 provided with aligned apertures adapted for the reception and guidance of a reciprocal actuating rod 136. At the portion thereof disposed between the

walls

132 and 134, the rod 136 carries a generally U-shaped bracket 138 provided with a pair of apertures or slots in the base wall thereof adapted for the reception of the actuators 130 of the

switches

126 and 128. As will be apparent, reciprocation of the rod 136 effects actuation of the

switches

126 and 128. The rod 136 includes a portion extending exteriorly of the housing 132 and adiacent the free end thereof is provided with a collar 140. A compression spring 142 is confined between the wall 134 of the housing 32 and the collar 140 on the rod 136 to normally bias the rod 136 outwardly with respect to the housing to normally move the switches to one position of their movement. To retain the switches in their other position, after movement thereof, a latch 144 is pivotally mounted in the housing 32 between the

walls

132 and 134 and is normally urged by a relatively weak spring 146 toward latching enga ement with the bracket 138 carried by the rod 136. When the rod 136 is moved from the position shown in Fi ure 3 to the position shown in Figure 4, the sprin 146 urges the latch 144 into engagement with one leg of the U-sha ed bracket 138 to retain the bracket and rod in the position shown in Figure 4. At the end thereof op osite its latching portion. the latch 144 is provided with a trio rod or lever 148 which extends exteriorly of the housing 32 and terminates at its free end in a loop 150 encircling one run of the cable 44. The run of the cable 44 encircled by the loop 150 is opposite the run of the cable on which the

stops

56 and 58 are provided.

As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the frames 50 and 74 of the two embodiments of the carriage described hereinhefore, are each provided with an abutment portion 152 adapted to engage the free end of the rod 136, in the manner shown in Figure 3, when the door is moved to a position adjacent its full open position. Accordingly, as the door is moved in an opening direction and rearwardlv along the ceiling of the garage, the abutment portion 152 of the movable carriage will engage the rod 136 to move the rod 136 inwardly with res ect to the housing to effect actuation of the

switches

126 and 128 to stop oper ation of the motor and to condition the motor for operation in the reverse direction upon the next energization thereof. As pointed out hereinbefore. the latch 144 retains the bracket 138 and the rod 136 in the position to which moved bv the abutment portion 152 of the movab e carriage. When the motor is again energized, the door will be operated in the reverse direction and as the same is lowered and approaches its closed position. the latch 144 is tripped to release the carria e 138 and rod 136 to actuate the

switches

126 and 128 to stop operation of the motor and to condition the motor for operation of the device in door opening direction. To trip the latch 144 as the door approaches its closed position, a cam, trigger, or the like 154 is provided on the run of the cable 44 which extends through the loop portion 150 of the trip rod 148. The cam 154 preferably comprises a sleeve encircling and adjustably secured to the cable 44 and provided on its outer surface with suitable rnaterial for frictionally engaging the loop 150 of the trip rod 148. The size of the cam 154, however, is such as to pass through the loop 150 after the trip rod has been actuated so that coasting of the door may occur, if desired, without danger of damage to the operating mechanism of the present invention. As will be apparent, actuation of the rod 148 will trip the latch 144 to release the bracket 138 and rod 136 for movement under the urge of the spring 142.

From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that the present invention by providing a single limit switch disposed remotely of the door, or at least remotely of the door when the door is closed, for controlling the limits of movement of the door in both directions provides substantial advantages and economies in. devices of the general character. In its preferred embodiment, the present invention provides means for varying the effective length of the rod 136 so as to control the point at which the switches are actuated. For example, the rod 136 could be provided with a stud threaded to the rod for adjustment, or the abutment 152 of the carriage 40 could carry an adjustable stud. By providing means for adjusting the length of the rod 136 and for adjusting the cam 154 on the cable 44, the present invention accommodates ready adjustment and setting of the limits at which the

switches

126 and 128 will be actuated. By providing a normally disengaged driving connection between the motor 88 and the cable 44, the present invention further provides for slight coasting movement of the door after the motor has been stopped so that the door may be moved with little force against the abutment means defining the absolute limits of movement thereof. Upon opening movement of the door, the spring 142 provides a cushioning action for bufiing the movement of the door to its full open position. Furthermore, by providing the casing 34 for the circuit means of the present invention with readily detachable plug connectors, the casing 34 may be readily removed from the housing 34 and the remainder of the apparatus for inspection and testing of the various electrical circuit components therein. Accordingly, it will be appreciated that the present invention provides substantial advantages in devices of the general character referred to.

Referring now to Figure 6, I have shown one embodiment of the circuit means of the present invention wherein the

switches

126 and 128 are shown as double throw double pole switches with the two blades of each switch being disposed at the No. 2 terminal of each contact and blade set or unit and adapted to be moved into engagement with either pole of the respective units. As shown in Figure 6, the socket is adapted for the reception of a three wire, 110 volt power supply lead. As shown the three power leads 156, 158 and 160 may be suitably taken from the light bulb receptacle provided in the garage. The lines leading to the light receptacle may comprise merely the conventional two line, 110 volt power supply, with line 160 being the hot line. The line 160 is preferably continued through the receptacle without connection and the ground line 158 is continued through the receptacle to the socket 120. The line 156 is tapped off the ground line 158 and the light 162 is connected in series in the line 156. While the arrangement as shown accommodates use of the light receptacle in the garage in the circuit means of the present invention, it will be apparent that the light socket 162 may be included directly in the circuit means of the present invention and protrude from the casing 34 in a suitable manner for illuminating the interior of the garage with which the operating device of the present invention is associated. In this latter case, the 110 volt supply is led to the circuit means of the present invention as a two line source and the lead 156 may be tapped off the ground wire 158 within the interior of the casing 34, tlhe5 light bulb 162 being connected in series in the line The leads 158 and 160 are connected to opposite sides of the primary of a transformer 164. The transformer has the

leads

158 and 160 connected to the high voltage winding thereof. It is preferred that the transformer 164 be such as to step down the voltage of the supply to approximately 10 volts. The low voltage secondary of the transformer 164 is connected at one side to the second terminal or blade of the right hand unit of the limit switch 126 and to one terminal of the terminal bar 124 and at its other side is connected to the coil of a relay 166 having three movable switch arms. The other side of the coil of the relay 166 is connected to a second terminal of the terminal bar 124. Exteriorly of the casing 34. a pair of

switches

168 and 170 are connected in parallel, with the two lines of the switch circuit being connected to the two terminals of the terminal bar 124. As will be apparent, either of the

switches

168 and 170 is adapted to close the circuit of the transformer secondary and the coil of the relay 166 to eifect energization of the relay 166. The

switches

168 and 170 may comprise manually operable switches and one of the switches may suitably comprise a push button switch located inside the garage, or the house with which the garage is associated, and the other switch may suitably comprise a lock switch or the like disposed outside of the garage at a suitable or desired distance therefrom. Since the terminal bar 124 is associated only with the secondary of the primary, the same is exposed to a maximum of 10 volts so that same may be exposed exteriorly to provide advantages as will become apparent hereinafter.

When

either of the

switches

168 or 170 is closed, the coil of the relay 166 is energized to move the three switch blades to closed position. The blade of the switch 166-1 is connected to the left hand blade terminal 2 of the switch 126. The line connecting the blade of the switch 166-1 and the left hand terminal 126-2 is tapped to the power lead 160. The blade of the switch 166-2 is connected to the left hand pole 3 of the switch 126. The blade of the switch 166-3 is connected to the right hand poles 1 and 3 of the limit switch 126. The left hand pole 1 of the limit switch 126 is connected to the contact of the switch 166-2 and to the lead 156. The contact of the switch 166-3 is connected by means of a resistor 172 to one side of the relay coil. The resistor 172 pro vides a delaying action for energization of the coil of the relay 166 through the switch unit 3 of the relay, for a purpose to be pointed out hereinafter.

The contact of the switch 166-1 is connected to the blade and resistor of a normally closed, time relay, circuit breaker means 174. The contact of the means 174 is connected to one side of the field of the motor 88. The resistor of the unit 174 is connected to the right hand pole 1 of the conditioning switch 128 in series with the said pole and the contact of the switch 166-1. The time delaying circuit breaker means 174 may comprise a normally closed relay, a normally closed bimetallic switch, or similar circuit breaking means adapted tobreak the circuit to the field of the motor 88 after a predetermined time of energization of the motor. The right hand pole 1 of the conditioning switch 128 is cross connected to the left hand pole 3 of the conditioning switch. The left hand pole 1 is similarly cross connected to the right hand pole 3 and is connected to the other end of the field winding of the motor. The blade terminals 2 of the conditioning switch 128 are connected to the opposite sides of the armature of the motor 88. When the relay 166 is closed, and the blades of the conditioning switch 128 are in contact with the poles 1 thereof, the motor 88 is energized from the power lead 160 through the switch 166-1, the means 174, the field of the motor, the left hand pole 1 of the conditioning switch 128, the armature of the motor, the right hand pole 1 and from thence to the ground conductor 158. When the contact blades of the conditioning switch 128 are moved into contact with the poles 3, the motor 88 is energized in a similar manner with the exception that current flow through the armature is in the opposite direction due to the cross connections between the poles 1 and the poles 3 of the conditioning switch 128. Accordingly, the switch 128, upon each actuation thereof, conditions the motor 88 for operation in the reverse direction.

When either of the

switches

168 or 170 is closed, the coil of the relay 166 is energized from the secondary of the transformer 164. The

switches

168 and 170 are preferably of the type that immediately return to open position upon release thereof. To keep the coil of the relay 166 energized and to maintain the relay switches in closed position, the contact of the relay 166-3 is connected to one side of the relay coil and the blade of the switch 166-3 is connected to the poles 1 and 3 of the mosses right hand unit of the limit switch 126. The right hand contact blade of the limit switch 126 is connected to one side of the transformer secondary and, accordingly, the coil of the relay 166 will continue to be energized through the switch 166-3 and from the secondary of the transformer 164 once the coil is energized by closing either of the

switches

168 and 170. Due to this arrangement, the

switches

168 and 170 need be closedonly momentarily to set the device of the present invention in operation, which feature provides great convenience in operating the device of the invention.

When the coil of the relay 166 is energized through the relay switch 166-3 and the limit switch 126 is actuated as a result of the door reaching either of the limits of movement thereof, the coil of the relay 166 is deenergized to release the relay switches. Upon release of the relay switch 166-1, the circuit to the motor 88 is broken to stop operation of the motor. Since the limit switch 126 breaks the motor circuit or the circuit of the relay 166 only during actuation of the switch, the relay 166 includes the resistor 172 to prevent immediate reenergization, or continued energization, of the coil of the relay 166, such as would possibly occur if the limit switch 126 were rapidly thrown. Accordingly, the re- 10 sistor 172 insures cessation of motor operation at each limit of movement of the door.

As will be apparent from the foregoing, the switching unit of the limit switch 126 shown at the right in Figure 6, controls energization and deenergization of the motor 88. The other switch unit, namely, the unit shown at the left in Figure 6, controls energization and deenergization of the garage light 162. As pointed out hereinbefore, the line 156 is connected to the left hand pole 1 of the limit switch 126, which in turn is connected to the contact of the relay switch 166-2. The second terminal or blade of the switch unit is connected to the power lead 160 and the pole 126-3 is connected to the blade of the relay switch 166-2. When the switch blade engages the pole 1, the light 162 is energized from the power lead 160 through the terminal or blade 126-2, the terminal 126-1, the lead 156, through the bulb 162 and to the grounded conductor 158. In the position wherein the switch blade engages pole 3 of the limit switch, the bulb 162 is energized from the power lead 160 by connection to the blade 126-2, the pole 126-3, the relay switch 166-2, the switch pole 126-1 and the lead 156. From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that when the switch blade engages the pole 126-1, the light bulb 162 is energized whether the relay 166 is energized or not. However, when the switch blade engages the pole 126-3, the light bulb 162 will be energized only if the relay 166 is energized. Accordingly, the limit switch 126 is so disposed in the mechanical arrangement of the present invention that the switch blade will be thrown into engagement with the pole 126-3 when the door is closed. Upon energization of the relay 166, to move the door in the opening direction, the light 162 will be energized through the relay. When the door reaches its open position and engages the switch actuator rod 136, the limit switch 126 is thrown to bring the switch blades thereof into engagement with the pole 126-1. In this position, the light bulb 162 will be continuously energized directly from the power leads 160 and 158. Therefore, during the entire time that the door is being opened, is maintained opened and is being closed, the light bulb 162 will be energized. However, immediately upon the door again reaching its closed position, at which time the limit switch 126 is again actuated and the circuit to the relay 166 is broken, the light will be shut off. Accordingly, the light bulb 162 will always provide an indication of the position of the door, which is highly desirable when the garage is located remotely of the owners residence and either of the

switches

168 or 170 is disposed within the owners residence. In the particular arrangement stated, the owner may leave the garage door open with the light bulb energized while he travels to his residence. Upon reaching his residence, either of the

switches

168 or 170, depending upon which of the two is disposed within the residence, may be actuated to move the door to closed position. However, if any obstacle is presented to prevent the door from reaching its fully closed position, or if the operating device should fail for any reason, the light 162 will be maintained energized to warn the owner that the garage door has not closed.

After the operating. device of the present invention has been installed in a garage, the length of time required for door operation is timed and thereafter the circuit breaker means 174 is calibrated to deenergize the motor after a certain time interval of motor operation in excess of that required to normally open or close the door. For example, I have found that a conventional private garage door may be opened or closed upon energization of the motor for approximately eight seconds. In such an instance, the circuit breaker means 1'74 may be set to open after an interval of motor operation of approximately twelve seconds. Accordingly, if some obstacle should be presented to door move- ;ment or any mechanical failure should occur in the operating device of the present invention, the circuit breaker means 174 will automatically open after approximately twelve seconds of motor energization to prevent the motor running for needless lengths of time. This 6 is a substantial advantage over prior devices wherein the motor was merely provided with a thermal relay adapted to break the motor circuit when the motor became heated to a certain extent. In prior devices, the

motor wouldnormally run for an extremely long period of time before the thermal relay would break the circuit thereto.

As shown in Figure 6, the socket 122 includes four terminals, two of which are connected to the

power lines

160 and 158 and two of which are connected to the leads of the switching circuit including the

switches

168 and 170. Accordingly, the socket 122 is adapted for energizing the receiver of a remote radio control apparatus which is adapted to short circuit or close the circuit to the coil of the relay 166 to effect operation of the device of the present invention from a remote location. The sending device of the radio control apparatus would normally be mounted in the vehicle to be garaged.

From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that the circuit means shown in Figure 6 is adapted for accurate and effective control of the motor 88 to move the door to predetermined limits of movement as defined by adjustment of the rod 136 and adjustment of the cam 154 on the cable 44. Operation of the device is entirely automatic except for originally closing the circuit by means of either of the

switches

168 or 170 or by means of a remote radio control apparatus connected to the circuit means at the socket 122.

While the circuit means shown in Figure 6 is entirely adequate for most installations, it is frequently desired to provide means for automatically stopping closing movement of the door if an obstacle is presented to the door or if anything should stand in the way of closing movement of the door. For example, if the door were opened and a vehicle were pulled only partially into the garage and one of the

switches

168 or 170 was inadvertently operated, the garage door would commence movement toward its closed position which would result in damage both to the vehicle and to the garage door. To prevent the possibility of any such damage occurring, the present invention provides means for automatically stopping closing movement of the door and automatically reversing operation of the door should an obstacle be encountered by the door so as to move the door to its full open position. According to the present invention, the means for automatically reversing operation of the door should an obstacle be encountered comprises a switch means extending across substantially the entire width of the door at the bottom edge thereof and suitable means included within the motor circuit energized upon operation of the switch to effect reversal of motor operation. The physical structure of the switch means mounted at the lower edge of the vehicle door may be varied as desired and in Figures 7 and 8 I have shown two preferred forms of suitable switch means. The mounting of such switch means on the garage door is shown in Figure 1.

Referring now to Figure 7, which embodiment of the invention is shown as mounted on the door in Figure 1, the switch means may suitably comprise a pressure tube 176 extending across the entire width of the door at the lower edge thereof. The pressure tube is preferably formed of rubber so as to be resiliently flexible and so as to present a bumper edge for preventing damage or marring of an obstacle, a vehicle, or any other article. The pressure tube 176 preferably includes a mounting plate or portion by means of which the same may be suitably secured to the lower surface of the door. At one end thereof, the pressure tube 176 is suitably connected to a pressure actuated switch 178 which is carried by the door at the side thereof. The pressure tube 176 and the switch 178 comprise a closed fluid system which under normal conditions is not under sufficient pressure to effect actuation of the switch 178, but which, upon engagement of the tube 176 with an obstacle, will effect actuation of the switch 178. As shown in Figure 1, the switching apparatus may take the form of two pressure tubes, each extending throughout one-half of the width of the door, and a switch 178 associated with each of the tubes. The switch or switches 178 are mounted adjacent the sides of the garage door and are each provided with a contact leaf or blade 180 engaging the door guiding tracks 26. Upon actuation of the switch 178, as by the tube 176 engaging an obstacle, the switch 178 is closed to close the circuit to suitable means mounted within the casing 34 by utilizing the track or tracks 26 for the garage door as a conductor.

As will be appreciated, the pressure tube 176 will be normally compressed upon engagement thereof with the fioor of the garage when the door is moved to closed position. To prevent actuation of the circuit means to effect reversible motor operation when the door engages the fioor surface of the garage, a suitable insulator 182 is mounted on the track 26 to insulate the switch blade from the track when the door approaches and is in its closed position. Accordingly, the strip of insulating material 182 will prevent reversal of motor operation when the door is moved to its closed position so that the circuit means and operating device of the present invention will have the motor circuit breaking operation described hereinbefore.

In Figure 8, a second embodiment of the switching apparatus is shown wherein the lower edge of the garage door 20 carries a fixed contact strip 184 and a movable contact leaf or strip 186. The contact strip 184 may be either continuous or may be provided at spaced points along the bottom edge of the door. Likewise, the contact leaf 186 may be continuous or may be provided in a plurality of short sections or in a single short section, disposed at a strategic point along the width of the door. While particular fixed contact strip and movable leaf means have been shown in Figure 8, it will be appreciated that the actual structure thereof may be varied within wide limits without departing from the scope of the present invention. At the free outer end thereof, the contact leaf 186 is provided with a downwardly turned end portion upon which is mounted a rubber bumper 188 to prevent damage to the obstacle encountered by the garage door. In the apparatus shown in Figure 8, the contact strip 184 may be suitably connected to one of the garage door tracks 26 and the movable contact leaf 186 may be suitably connected to the other track 26. The switch means shown in Figure 7 may be similarly connected.

Referring now to Figure 9, I have shown suitable circuit means for effecting reversal of the motor, in response to energization by switch means such as that shown in Figures 7 and 8, incorporated in the circuit means shown in Figure 6 and described hereinbefore. The description of the circuit means of Figure 6 being clear, the following description of Figure 9 will be limited solely to the inclusion of the motor reversing .means in the circuit. As shown in Figure 9, the terminal plate 124 is provided with three terminals, two of which establish connection to the switching means 168 and 170. A pair of

leads

190 and 192 are provided, each leading from one of the tracks 26. The lead 190 is suitably led to the free terminal of the terminal bar 124, and the lead 192 is connected to one of the leads of the switching circuit. The lead 192 is preferably so connected as to be electrically connected to one terminal of the secondary of the transformer 164. The lead 190 is connected through the terminal bar 124 to the coil of a relay 194 and from thence to the other side of the secondary of the transformer 164 and to the coil of an electromagnet 196. The relay 194 includes two switch units, wherein the first switch unit is connected electrically to the opposite sides of the coil of the relay 166 so as to effect energization of the relay 166 when the relay 194 is energized. The contact of the second switch of the relay 194 is connected to the side of the secondary of the transformer 164 opposite that to which the coil 194 is directly connected and the blade of the switch is connected to the coil of the electromagnet 196. Accordingly, when the switch carried by the door, as shown in either Figure 7 or 8, is closed, the coil of the relay 194 is energized to close the switches of the relay. With the switch 194-2 energized, the coil of the electromagnet 196 is energized. The electromagnet 196 in the physical apparatus of the present invention may be disposed immediately adjacent the latch 144, as is shown in dotted lines in Figure 4, or may be operatively associated with the latch 144 in a conventional manner, so as to magnetically retract the latch 144 from its locking position to release the bracket 138 and rod 136 for movement under the urge of the spring 142. Accordingly, upon energization of the relay 194, and consequently of the electromagnet 196, the latch 144 is tripped to effect actuation of the

switches

126 and 128 and reversal of motor operation. However, as was pointed out hereinbefore, upon actuation of the limit switch 126, the circuit to the motor 88 is normally broken by breaking .the circuit to the coil of the relay 166. If it is desired merely to stop operation of the door upon engagement of the door with an obstacle, the relay 194 may be omitted and the coil of theelectromagnet may be directly connected to the opposite sides of the secondary of the transformer 164 so that upon closing of the switch carried by the door, the latch 144 will be tripped to stop operation of the motor. However, in accordance with the present invention, it is preferred that the door be reversed so as to be moved to its fully opened position so as to provide for the ready removal of the obstacle that is disposed in the way of the vehicle door. In this latter case, the relay 194 is provided and includes the switch 194-1 which will maintain the coil of the relay 166 energized during actuation of the

switches

126 and 128 so that the motor will be immediately energized in the reverse direction. After the door has been moved in the reverse direction suificiently to accommodate return of the switch means carried by the door to its normally open position, the relay 194 will be deenergized, but by this time, the coil of the relay 166 will be energized through the limit switch 126 to maintain the motor in operation until the door is returned to its fully open position. Thereafter, the obstacle may be removed from the path of the door to accommodate normal operation of the door.

In most instances it is very desirable to provide means located externally of the garage, and preferably at some distance therefrom, to provide means for'automatically energizing the operating device of the present invention without requiring the vehicle operator to get out of the vehicle to close some suitable switch. To this end, a lock switch, either of the

switches

168 or 170, may be mounted on a post adjacent the vehicle driveway so that the same can be reached from the interior of the vehicle. However, this presents some disadvantages in that it is difficult in many cases to bring the car alongside the post closely enough to accommodate actuation of the switch merely by the vehicle operator reaching through the window of the vehicle. Remote radio con trol apparatus, of course, presents substantial advantages in this regard, but the same is relatively expensive and accordingly may not meet with universal approval. To provide means of an extremely economical nature for effecting automatic operation of the operating device, the present invention provides means in the form of switching means or the like adapted to be contacted by the vehicle. While the means may suitably comprise pressure plates or pressure actuated switches disposed in the surface of the driveway to the garage, such types of switches suffer the disadvantage that in northern climates the same become covered with ice and snow and are therefore not exposed to contact by the vehicle. According to the present invention, I prefer to employ the conventional curb feelers employed on most vehicles for closing the circuit to the relay of the coil 166 by disposing contact plates at the sides of the driveway to the garage adapted for contact by curb feelers mounted on the vehicle.

Referring now to Figure 9, I have shown a pair of contactor plates 198 disposed exteriorly of the garage and connected to opposite sides of the leads of the switching circuit 168-170. The plates 198 preferably comprise metallic plates, of a resilient nature or having a resilient mounting, disposed vertically along the side of the driveway and connected by a suitable underground lead to the switching circuit of the switches 168-170. For narrow driveways, as is shown in Figure 9, the contactor plates 198 may be disposed on opposite sides of the driveway for contact by means of a pair of curb feelers 200 carried at opposite sides of the vehicle. In the case of wider driveways, it will be appreciated that both plates can be conveniently mounted on one side of the driveway and adapted for contact by curb feelers 200 provided at spaced points along one side of the vehicle. From the disclosure of Figure 9,it will be appreciated that as the curb feelers 200 contact the plates 198, the switching circuit is closed through the vehicle to effect energization of the coil of the relay 166 and operation of the door operating device of the present invention. In actual construction, and as is shown somewhat diagrammatically in Figure 9, each contactor plate 198 may suitably comprise a pair of posts driven into the ground, the posts being preferably of wood or the like so as to provide an insulation from ground, and a metal plate strung between the posts slightly above the ground, at

14 what would normally be approximately curb level, for engagement by the feelers 200. The contactor plates 198 can be disposed remotely of the garage so that as the vehicle slowly approaches the garage, the garage door VtiOllld be opened without necessity for stopping the vehic e.

In many instances, garages comprise multiple units with each space or stall therein provided with a separate door, but with a single driveway leading to all of the doors of the garage unit. The apparatus shown in Figure 9 and described hereinbefore readily lends itself to the provision of means for selectively actuating any one of the garage doors upon passage of the particular vehicle over the driveway. For example, if the garage were provided with three doors and each door were provided with a separate operator, a pair of contactor plates could be disposed as shown in Figure 9, and another contactor plate could be disposed along one of the sides of the driveway. The two contactor plates disposed on one side of the drive could be suitably connected to opposite sides of the switching circuit of one of the door operators, and then each of the two contactor plates could alternately be associated with the contactor plate on the opposite side of the driveway. The first car would be provided with two feelers on one side of the vehicle adapted to engage the two contactor plates provided on the one side of the driveway for automatically effecting actuation of the first door operator. The second car would be provided with feelers such as shown in Figure 9 to effect actuation of the second door operator and the third car would be provided with feelers adapted to engage the contactor plate disposed on the one side of the driveway and the other of the two contactor plates provided on the opposite side of the driveway to effect actuation of the third operator. As will be appreciated, such means provides for a convenient remote actuation of the door operator device of the present invention when the same is utilized in multiple installations.

In many instances however, it is desirable to provide only a single set or pair of contactors 198, in which case other means may be utilized to effect selective operations of several door operators in a multiple operator installation. In Figure 10, I have shown one such means which comprises the inclusion of additional circuit means associated with the terminal post 124 and connected to the single pair of contactors 198. As shown in Figure 10, the terminals 1 and 2 of the terminal bar 124 are adapted for the reception of the conventional switching apparatus as indicated at 168 and 170. The third terminal, however, is connected to one side of suitable means, such as a germanium diode 202, for passing current in one direction only. The other side of the means 202 is connected to the coil of a relay 204, and the other side of the relay coil is connected to the terminal 2 of the bar 124. The relay 204 includes a switch connected to the terminals 1 and 2 of the terminal bar 124 so as to effect energization of the relay 166 and operation of the garage door. In use, the relay 204 is adapted for energization from the battery of the vehicle adapted to engage the contactor plates 198. In, for example, a three car and three garage door arrangement, the first car would be adapted to short circuit the terminals 1 and 2 of the bar 124 in a manner somewhat similar to that shown in Figure 9. The second car, however, would have one of the feelers 200 connected to the vehicle battery and the other feeler connected to the ground. The contactor plate 198 adapted to be engaged by the battery connected feeler would be connected to the terminal 2 of the bar 124 and the other contactor plate would be connected to the terminal 3 of the bar 124. Accordingly, as the vehicle passed through and engaged the contactor plates, the vehicle battery would energize the relay 204 to close the circuit of the relay 166. In the third car, the connection of the feelers 200 would be reversed and the direction of current passage of the germanium diode 202 would be reversed to provide for actuation of the third door operator. Accordingly, accurate operation of a plurality of door operating devices is insured.

From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that the present invention provides an extremely economical and practical door operating device wherein novel circuit means are provided for insuring proper actuation of the garage door.

While I have described what I regard to be preferred 15 embodiments of my invention, it will be appreciated that various changes, rearrangements and modifications may be made therein Without departing from the scope of the invention, as defined by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A device for operating overhead doors and the like having latching means for retaining the same in closed position, comprising a track adapted to be mounted above the door and generally parallel to the door when the door is in its open position, a movable carriage carried and guided by said track and adapted for connection to the door, a continuous cable having one run disposed adjacent and substantially parallel to said track, said one run of said cable passing freely through said carriage and having a pair of spaced stops thereon disposed to either side of said carriage, said stops having lost motion with respect to said carriage and being adapted to engage the same, a pulley supporting and guiding said cable at each end thereof, and means for rotating one of said pulleys in opposite directions to drive said cable and bring said stops selectively into engagement with said carriage to move the door in opening and closing directions, the stop adapted to engage said carriage when the door is being opened having operative connection to the door latching means to unlatch the door before engaging said carriage to open the door.

2. A device for operating overhead doors and the like comprising a track adapted to be mounted above the door and generally parallel to the door when the door is in its up position, a movable carriage carried and guide by said track and adapted for connection to the door, means for moving said carriage including a reversible electric motor and a wheel driven thereby, the drive shaft of said motor being adapted to be brought into engagement with said wheel to drive said wheel, a sleeve rotatably mounted on the motor drive shaft, clutch means between said shaft and said sleeve and a tie rod connected to said sleeve and anchored radially outward of said sleeve in the direction of said wheel, whereby upon energization of said motor said sleeve, said clutch means and said tie rod urge said motor drive shaft into engagement with said wheel.

3. A device for operating overhead doors and the like comprising a track adapted to be mounted above the door and generally parallel to the door when the door is in its up position, a movable carriage carried and guided by said track and adapted for connection to the door, means for moving said carriage including a reversible motor and a wheel driven thereby, said motor being mounted for movement with respect to said wheel and the drive shaft of said motor being adapted to be brought into engagement with said wheel to drive said wheel, a sleeve rotatably mounted on the motor drive shaft, clutch means between said shaft and said sleeve. a tie rod connected to said sleeve and anchored radially outward of said sleeve in the direction of said wheel, whereby upon energization of said motor said sleeve, said clutch means and said tie rod urge said motor drive shaft into engagement with said wheel, a collar rotatably mounted on said sleeve, and a plurality of tie rods connected to said collar to hold said motor against movement in a plane transversely of the first named tie rod.

4. A device for operating overhead doors and the like comprising a continuous cable adapted to be operatively associated with the door, a pulley over which said cable is reevcd, a friction wheel connected to said pulley, a reversible electric motor having its axis disposed in generally spaced parallel relation to the axis of said wheel, a. friction member carried by the motor shaft and adapted to engage the periphery of said wheel to drive said wheel, said motor being pivotally mounted intermediate its ends to accommodate movement of said friction member toward and away from said wheel, the weight of said motor normally biasing said motor and said friction member away from said Wheel, a sleeve rotatably mounted on the motor drive shaft, friction clutch means between said shaft and said sleeve normally coupling said shaft and said sleeve but accommodating relative rotational movement therebetween, and a tie rod connected to said sleeve and anchored radially outward of said sleeve in the direction of said wheel, said sleeve upon energization of said motor tending to wind said tie rod thereon, whereby said motor is moved toward said wheel to bring said friction member into driving engagement with the periphery of said wheel to drive said wheel, said pulley and said cable to operate the door.

5. A device for operating overhead doors and the like comprising a continuous cable adapted to be operatively associated with the door, a pulley over which said cable is reeved, a friction wheel connected to said pulley, a reversible electric motor having its axis disposed in generally spaced parallel relation to the axis of said wheel, a friction member carried by the motor shaft and adapted to engage the periphery of said wheel to drive said wheel, said motor being pivotally mounted intermediate its ends to accommodate movement of said friction member toward and away from said wheel, the weight of said motor normally biasing said motor and said friction member away from said wheel, a sleeve rotatably mounted on the motor drive shaft, friction clutch means between said shaft and said sleeve normally coupling said shaft and sleeve but accommodating relative rotational movement therebetween, a tie rod connected to said sleeve and extending radially of said sleeve and said wheel, said tie rod being anchored at the free end thereof in the area of said wheel, said sleeve upon energization of said motor tending to wind said tie rod thereon, whereby said motor is moved toward said wheel to bring said friction member into driving engagement with the periphery of said wheel to drive said wheel, said pulley and said cable to operate the door, and means anchoring said motor against tangential movement with respect to said wheel, said tie rod being formed of springy material to normally bias said sleeve and said motor away from said wheel.

6. A device for operating overhead doors and the like having latching means for retaining the same in closed position, comprising a track adapted to be mounted in a position substantially parallel to the door when the door is in its open position, a movable carriage carried and guided by said track and adapted for connection to the door, continuous conveyor means having one run disposed adjacent and substantially parallel to said track, said one run of said conveyor means passing freely through said carriage and having a pair of spaced stops thereon disposed to either side of said carriage, said stops having lost motion with respect to said carriage and being adapted to engage the same, and means for actuating said conveyor means to drive the same in opposite directions to bring said stops selectively into engagement with said carriage to move the door in opening and closing directions, the stop adapted to engage said carriage when the door is being opened having operative connection to the door latching means to unlatch the door before engaging said carriage to open the door.

7. A device for operating overhead door having latching means for retaining the same in closed position, comprising a track adapted to be mounted in a position substantially parallel to the door when the door is in its open position, a movable carriage carried and guided by said track and adapted for connection to the door, continuous cable means having one run disposed adjacent and substantially parallel to said track, said one run of said cable means passing freely through said carriage and having a pair of spaced stops thereon disposed to either side of said carriage, said stops having lost motion with respect to said carriage and being adapted to engage the same, means for actuating said cable means to drive the same in opposite directions to bring said stops selectively into engagement with said carriage to move the door in opening and closing directions, and second cable means connected to the stop adapted to engage said carriage when the door is being opened, said second cable means being adapted to be operatively connected to the door latching means to unlatch the door before the said stop to which said second cable means is connected engages said carriage to effect movement of the door in opening direction, said second cable means accommodating normal j manual actuation of the door latching means.

8. A device for operating overhead doors or the like, the door being guided for movement between a substantially vertical closed position and a substantially horizontal open position and having latching means for latching the same in closed position, comprising a track to be mounted above the door and generally parallel to the door when the door is in its open position, a movable carriage carried and guided by said track, means flexibly connecting said carriage to the door, a continuous cable hav ing one run disposed adjacent and substantially parallel to said track, said one run of said cable passing freely through said carriage and having a pair of spaced stops thereon disposed to either side of said carriage, said stops having lost motion with respect to said carriage and being adapted to engage the same, a pulley supporting and guiding said cable at each end thereof, drive means for rotating one of said pulleys in opposite directions to drive said cable, the stops on said cable being adapted selectively to engage said carriage upon actuation of said cable in opposite directions by means of said one pulley to move the door in opening and closing directions, the stop adapted to engage said carriage when the door is being opened having operative connection to the door latching means to unlatch the door before engaging said carriage to open the door, control means for controlling said drive means, an actuator rod for said control means, said carriage including an abutment adapted to engage and move said rod in one direction adjacent one limit of movement of the door, spring means normally biasing said actuator rod in the opposite direction, a latch adapted to lock said rod in the position to which the same is moved by said abutment, a trip rod carried by said latch and extending adjacent the other run of said cable, and a cam carried by said other run of said cable adapted to engaged said trip rod to trip said latch and release said rod adjacent the other limit of movement of the door, thus to condition said drive means to rotate said one pulley in opposite directions.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Findley Apr. 10, 1917 Edwards et al Mar. 6, 1928 Goldman Feb. 4, 1930 Bancroft Oct. 3, 1933 Blodgett June 12, 1934 Gross May 7, 1935 McCloud Feb. 9, 1937 Foster Mar. 26, 1940 Greegor et a1. Nov. 12, 1940 Collins Nov. 11, 1941 Rogers Feb. 2, 1943 Blodgett Mar. 14, 1944 Vallen June 12, 1945 Konter May 28, 1946 Cook July 22, 1947 Riverman Feb. 20, 1951 Andrews June 26, 1951 Vaughn Oct. 23, 1951 McLaughlin Dec; 4, 1951 Noble Jan. 29, 1952 Morris June 3, 1952 Schlytern Aug. 19, 1952