US2756990A - Door operating device - Google Patents

Description

July 31, 1956 K. F. REAMEY 2,756,990

DOOR OPERATING DEVICE Original Filed April 12, 1952 3 Sheets-Sheet l IN VEN TOR.

K. F. REAMEY DOOR OPERATING DEVICE Original Filed April 12, 1952 July 31, 1956 3 Sheets-$heet 2 INVENTOR. fjecmmgy 31, 1956 K. F. REAMEY DOOR OPERATING DEVICE 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Original Filed April 12, 1952 INVENTOR. F/Fea/nZ Qy I W, ./JJ1

1 I l I I g United States Patent DOOR OPERATING DEVICE Kenneth F. Rearney, Hot Springs, Ark.

Original application April 12, 1952, Serial No. 282,055,

now Patent No. 2,703,235, dated March 1, 1955. Divided and this application January 18, 1955, Serial No. 482,468

12 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.

The present application is a division of my copending application Serial No. 282,055, filed April 12, 1952 which matured as Patent No. 2,703,235 issued March 1, 1955.

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.

The novel circuit means of the present invention is substantially completely enclosed in a casing 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 an obstacle while being closed. In all embodiments, suitable means may be provided externally of the garage for contact by the vehicle to efiect 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 operation 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.

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

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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 effecting 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 effect actuation of the door operating device;

Figure 10 is a front view, partly in section and partly in elevation, of externally located contact means adapted to be engaged by vehicle carried means to comprise a switch for use in the circuit of Figure 9; and

Figure 11 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 l, a conventional type of overhead garage door is indicated at 2% The door 29 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 36 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 24 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 46 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 40 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 56* which may be formed integrally with the arm 42. The frame 46 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 G-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 Stl 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 66 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, st motion is provided between the top 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 Stl 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 adjustably connected to the housing 32 by means of a bolt 63 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 66 by means of the pivot pin 62. To ac commodate 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 60 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 26, 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 532 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, the 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 93 having engagement, but not intimate binding engagement, with the friction material as. The sleeve 98 is preferably formed of metal and is adapted to be clutched to the motor shaft 92 by means of the friction matereial 96. Adjacent the outer end thereof, the sleeve 93 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 194 which extends radially outward of the sleeve 93 in the direction of the friction 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 93 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 9%) 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 1&4 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 bind ing 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 194 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 material for the tie rod 194, 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 33, substantial tangential forces are encountered and While the pivotal mounting 90 of the motor 88 may, in most cases, be sufficient 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 34. As shown in Figure 5, a collar 188 is rotatably mounted on the sleeve 98 and is provided at the opposite sides thereof, in a plane tra. sverse to the plane of the tie rod 104, with a pair of ties 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, 1 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 8b may include a center plate 114 to which the sections 1. .2 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-s'haped 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 Stl, when actuated, positively grasps the cable 44 by weclging 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 will so grasp the cable 44 as to impart movement thereto unless the door is blocked by some obstacle that will present considerably more resistance to movement than would be met with in normal operation of the door. When such an obstacle is engaged by the door, the pulley ht? 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 shaft and due to the high degree of frictional engagement between the sleeve 86 and the wheel $4, as is provided by forming both members of rubber, the motor 83 may be of extremely small size. I have found, for example, that a motor having a rating of H P. is entirely 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 invention, 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, with respect to the other portions of the operating means that l 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 fire proof 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 120, 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 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 12d and 128. As will be apparent, reciprocation of the rod 135 efiects actuation of the switches 12d and 128. The rod 136 includes a portion extending extcriorly of the housing 132 and adjacent 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 14d 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 33 iancl is normally urged by a relatively weak spring 146 toward latching engagement with the bracket 133 carried by the rod 136. When the rod 136 is moved from the position shown in Figure 3 to the position shown in Figure 4, the spring 146 urges the latch 144 into engagement with one leg of the U-shaped bracket 138 to retain the bracket and rod in the position shown in Figure 4. At the end thereof opposite its latching portion, the latch M4 i 8 vided with a trip 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 53 are provided.

As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the frames 5%) and 74 of the two embodiments of the carriage described hereinbefore, 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 rearwardly 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 respect to the housing to effect actuation of the switches 126 and 123 to stop operation of the motor and to condition the motor for operation in the reverse direction upon the next energizetion thereof. As pointed out hereinbefore, the latch 144 retains the bracket 138 and the rod 136 in the position to which moved by the abutment portion 152 of the movable 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 carriage 133 and rod 136 to actuate the switches 126 and 123 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 material 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 143 will trip the latch 144 to release the bracket 133 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 char acter. 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 49 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 1.26 and 123 will be actuated. By providing a normally disengaged driving connection between the motor 38 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 buffing the movement of the door to its full open position. Furthcrmore, 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 inspectlon 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 embodimeat of the circuit means of the present invention wherein the switches 126 and 128 are shown as double throw double pole switches with that 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 128 is adapted for the reception of a three wire, 110 volt power supply lead. As shown, the three power leads 156, 158 and 169 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 369 being the hot line. The line 36 is preferably continued through the receptacle without connection and the ground line 158 is continued through the receptacle to the socket 121 The line 156 is tapped off the ground line 158 and the light 1.62 is connected in series in the line 156. While the arrangem nt 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 lit volt supply is led to the circuit means of the present invention as a two line source and the lead 156 may be tapped oh the ground wire 158 within the interior of the casing 34, the light bulb 162 being connected in series in the line 156.

The leads 158 and 160 are connected to opposite sides of the primary of a transformer 164. The transformer with the leads 158 and 169 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 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 178 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 effect energization of the relay 166. The switches 168 and 1743 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 provides 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 to break 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 'jswitch 128 are in contact with the poles 1 thereof, the

motor 88 is energized from the power lead 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 17!] 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 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 176. Due to this arrangement, the switches 168 and 17% need be closed only 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 resistor 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 inFigure 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 1662. The second terminal or blade of the switch unit is connected to the power lead 160 and the pole 1263 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 1261, 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 16!) by connection to the blade 126-2, the pole 1263, 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 1261, the light bulb 162 is energized whether the relay 166 is energized or not. However, when the switch blade engages the pole 1263, 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 blade thereof into engagement with the pole 1261. In this position, the light bulb 162 will be continuously energized directly from the power leads 166 and 158. Therefore, during the entire time that the door is being opened, is maintained open 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 176 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 174 may be set to open after an interval of motor operation of approximately twelve seconds. Accordingly, if some obstacle should be presented to door movement 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 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 12 devices, the motor would normally run for an extremely long period of time before the thermal relay would break the circuit thereto.

As shown in Fig. 6, the socket 122 includes four terminals, two of which are connected to the power lines 166 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 eifective 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 eifect 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 l, 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 rnarring of an obstacle, a vehicle, or any other article. The pressure tube 1'76 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 sufiicient 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 l, the switching apparatus may take the form of two pressure tubes, each extending throughout one-halfof the width of the door, and a switch 17? associated with each of the tubes. The switch or switches 176 are mounted adjacent the sides of the garage door and are each provided with a contact leaf or blade 1% 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 floor 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 floor surface of the garage, a suitable insulator 182 is mounted on the track 26 to insulate the switch blade 180 from the track when the door approaches and is in its closed position. Accordingly, the strip of insulating material 132 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 hereinafter.

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 lead 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 163 and 171 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 1913 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. The relay 194 includes two switch units, where in 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 power lead 160 and the blade of the switch is connected to the coil of a solenoid 196. The opposite side of the coil of the solenoid 196 is connected to the power lead 158. 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 solenoid 196 is energized. The solenoid 196 in the physical apparatus of the present invention may be operatively associated with the latch 144, as is schematically represented in dotted lines in Figure 4, 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 solenoid 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 the solenoid 196 may be connected to the opposite sides of the power source in series with the switch carried by the door so that upon closing of the door switch, 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 sufiiciently 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 doorv In most instances it is very desirable to provide means located externally of the garage, and preferably at some distance therefrom, to provide for automaticall 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 difiicult 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 control 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 Figures 9 and 10, I have shown, by way of example, a pair of contactors 198 disposed exteriorly of the garage and connected to opposite sides of the leads of the switching circuit 168-170. The contactors 198, as shown in Figure 10, each preferably comprise a metallic rod or wire, of a resilient nature or having a resilient mounting, disposed vertically along the side of the driveway and adapted to be contacted by a curb feeler 200 physically and conductively mounted on a metallic part of the vehicle, for example, on the lower edge of a fender. As a safety precaution, the contactor rod 198 may carry a rubber bumper 201 at the upper end thereof. The contactors are 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 contactors 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 contactors 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 rods 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 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 contactors could be disposed as shown in Figure 9, and another contactor could be disposed along one of the sides of the driveway. The two contactors 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 contactors could alternately be associated with the contactor 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 contactors provided on the one side of the driveway for automatically etfecting 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 disposed on the one side of the driveway and the other of the two contactors 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 11, 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 11, 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 2% 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 contactors 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 2% connected to the vehicle battery and the other feeler connected to the ground. The contactor 19% adapted to be engaged by the battery connected feeler would be connected to the terminal 2 of the bar 124 and the other contactor would be connected to the terminal 3 of the bar 124. Accordingly, as the vehicle passed through and engaged the contactors, the vehicle battery would energize the relay 2% 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 292 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. The door operating apparatus as such is claimed in my aforesaid parent application, and the circuit and circuit means herein.

While I have described what i regard to be preferred 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 comprising a continuous cable, means connecting one run of said cable to the door, a reversible electric motor adapted to drive said cable in opposite directions, circuit means for energizing and controlling said motor, said circuit means including a switch for making and breaking the motor circuit, an actuator rod operatively connected to said switch for actuating the same, said first named means including an abutment adapted to engage and move said rod in one direction adjacent one limit of movement of the door, means normally biasing said 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 the other run of said cable adapted to engage said trip rod to trip said latch and release said rod adjacent the other limit of movement of the door, said circuit means including a normally open second switch and a relay energized when said second switch is closed, said relay when energized maintaining itself energized when said first named switch is closed, said first named switch being closed in both positions to which said actuator rod is moved by said abutment and said biasing means and being open between said positions, said first named switch when open breaking the circuit to said relay, said relay when not energized breaking the circuit tosaid motor, whereby said first named switch serves to limit movement of the door in either direction but immediately conditions said circuit means for reenergization of said motor when said second switch is closed.

2. A device for operating overhead doors and the like comprising a continuous cable, means connecting one run of said cable to the door, an electric motor adapted to drive said cable, circuit means for energizing and controlling said motor, said circuit means including a first switch for making and breaking the motor circuit and a second switch for reversing the power leads to the motor armature, an actuator rod operatively connected to said switches for actuating the same, said first named means including an abutment adapted to engage and move said rod in one direction adjacent one limit movement of the door, means normally biasing said 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 the other run of said cable adapted to engage said trip rod to trip said latch and release said rod adjacent the other limit of movement of the door, said circuit means including a normaliy open third switch and a relay energized when said third switch is closed, said relay when energized maintaining itself energized when said first switch is closed, said first switch and said second switch being closed in both positions to which moved by said abutment and said biasing means but being open between said positions, said first switch when open breaking the circuit to said relay said relay when not energized breaking the circuit to said motor, whereby said first switch serves to limit movement of the door in either direction but immediately conditions said circuit means for reenergization of said motor when said third switch is closed and whereby said second switch reverses the power leads to the motor armature at each limit of door movement to condition said motor for operation in the opposite direction.

3. A device for operating overhead doors and the like comprising a continuous cable, means connecting one run of said cable to the door, an electric motor adapted to drive said cable, circuit means for energizing and controlling said motor, said circuit means including a first switch for making and breaking the motor circuit and a second switch for reversing the power leads to the motor armature, means carried by said cable for actuating said switches adjacent each limit of movement of the door, said circuit means including a normally open third switch and a relay energized when said third switch is closed, said relay when energized maintaining itself energized when said first switch is closed, said first switch and said second switch being closed in the positions to which moved by said actuating means but being open during actuation, said first switch when open breaking the circuit to said relay, said relay when not energized breaking the circuit to said motor, whereby said first switch serves to limit movement of the door in either direction but immediately conditions said circuit means for reenergization of said motor when said third switch is closed and whereby said second switch reverses the power leads to the motor armature at each limit of door movement to condition said motor for operation in opposite directions to open and close the door.

4. A device for operating overhead doors and the like comprising a continuous cable, means connecting one run of said cable to the door, an electric motor adapted to drive said cable, circuit means for energizing and controlling said motor, said circuit means including a first switch for making and breaking the motor circuit and a second switch for reversing the power leads to the motor armature, means carried by said cable for actuating said switches adjacent each limit of movement of the door, said circuit means including a normally open third switch and a relay energized when said third switch is closed, said relay when energized maintaining itself energized when said first switch is closed, said first switch and said second switch being closed in the position to which moved by said actuating means but being open during actuation, said first switch when open breaking the circuit to said relay, said relay when not energized, breaking the circuit to said motor, whereby said first switch serves to limit movement of the door in either direction but immediately conditions said circuit means for reenergization of said motor when said third switch is closed and whereby said second switch reverses the power leads to the motor armature at each limit of door movement to condition said motor for operation in opposite directions to open and close the door, said circuit means including a light bulb and circuit means therefor, said first switch closing the light bulb circuit directly in the position to which moved when the door is open and closing the light bulb circuit through said relay in its other position.

5. A device for operating overhead doors and the like comprising a continuous cable, means connecting one run of said cable to the door, an electric motor adapted to drive said cable, circuit means for energizing and controlling said motor, said circuit means including a first double throw double pole switch for making and breaking the motor circuit and a second double throw double pole switch for reversing the power leads to the motor armature, means carried by said cable for actuating said switches adjacent each limit of movement of the door, said circuit means including a normally open third switch and a relay energized when said third switch is closed, said relay when energized maintaining itself energized when said first switch is closed, said first switch and said second switch being closed in the positions to which moved by said actuating means but being open during actuation, said first switch when open breaking the circuit to said relay, said relay when not energized breaking the circuit to said motor, whereby said first switch serves tolimit movement of the door in either direction but immediately conditions said circuit means for reenergization of said motor when said third switch is closed and whereby said second switch reverses the power leads to the motor armature at each limit of door movement to condition said motor for operation in opposite directions to open and close the door, one switching unit of said first switch being connected to said relay, the other switching unit of said first switch having the blade and one pole thereof connected to opposite sides of the power lines and the other pole thereof connected through said relay to said one pole thereof, said circuit means including a light bulb in series with said one pole and the side of the line to which said one pole is connected, said light bulb being continuously energized when said blade engages said one pole and being energized only when said relay is energized when said blade engages said other pole, said first switch being so disposed as to have said blade thereof actuated to said one pole when the door is moved to the open limit of movement thereof.

6. A device for operating overhead doors as set forth in claim 3, wherein said second switch and the switch portion of said relay have direct connection to a supply source, and a transformer is located between said supply and the coil of said relay and said first and third switches.

7. A door operating device as set forth in claim 3, including a normally closed time-delay circuit breaker between said second switch and the field of said motor for breaking the motor circuit after a predetermined interval of motor energization.

8. A door operating device as set forth in claim 3, including a second relay, a normally open fourth switch carried by the bottom edge of the door for controlling energization of said second relay, and means energized upon energization of said second relay for actuating at least one of said first and second switches to stop continued movement of said door in the direction in which the same is moving.

9. A door operating device as set forth in claim 3, including a second relay, a normally open fourth switch carried by the bottom edge of the door for controlling energization of said second relay, and means energized upon energization of said second relay for actuating at least said second switch to reverse the direction of motor operation.

10. A door operating device as set forth in claim 3, in which said third switch comprises a pair of remotely disposed terminals adapted to be short-circuited by contact of a vehicle therewith.

11. A door operating device as set forth in claim 3, in which said third switch comprises a second relay, and means for passing current in one direction only through said second relay, said second relay being adapted for 19 2t) energization from a remote point from the battery of a tion, said solenoid being energized upon energization of vehicle. said second relay, said second relay being connected in 12. A door operating device as set forth in claim 2, inthe circuit of said first named relay to close the circuit eluding a second relay, a normally open fourth switch to the coil of said first named relay when energized during carried by the bottom edge of the door for controlling 5 actuation of said actuator rod by said biasing means. energization of said second relay, and a solenoid disposed adjacent said latch for tripping said latch upon energiza- No references Cited-

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