WO2012048361A1

WO2012048361A1 - A stop lock for use in a barrier system

Info

Publication number: WO2012048361A1
Application number: PCT/AU2010/001371
Authority: WO
Inventors: Scott James Nicholson; Mark Krebs
Original assignee: Chamberlain Australia Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2010-10-15
Filing date: 2010-10-15
Publication date: 2012-04-19
Also published as: AU2010362540B2; AU2010362540A1

Abstract

An extending member of a stop lock mechanism is engaged by a brake clasp. The extending member is held in an unlocked position using the brake clasp and permitting the rotating sprocket to rotate. Rotational motion is translated from the sprocket to the brake clasp so that an increased speed of a rolling barrier moving with the sprocket is translated from the rotating sprocket to the brake clasp. When an increased speed of the rolling barrier effects movement of the clasp via a centripetal force, the clasp releases the extending member to allow it to move along a longitudinal axis that extends through the clasp and the extending member. The extending member moves along the longitudinal axis into one of a plurality of arcuate openings in the sprocket to stop the rotation of the rotating sprocket and the downward movement of the rolling barrier.

Description

A STOP LOCK FOR USE IN A BARRIER SYSTEM

FIELD

This application is directed to barrier systems and, more specifically, to apparatuses and methods for stopping barrier movement in these systems.

BACKGROUND

Barriers are used for various purposes. As non-limiting examples, the barrier can be used for the garage, dock, grill, rolling shutter, or in a firebreak application. For example, these arrangements are utilized as barriers in buildings for security purposes. In another example, the barrier is used to prevent the spread of fires within or through the buildings.

These barriers come in various forms. They can be solid one-piece, sectional, or rolling doors. Although the remainder of this application refers only to the example of a rolling door, it will be understood the same technique can be utilized for other types of barriers. Generally speaking these barriers are counterbalanced in order to compensate for the weight of material. Other systems without the counterbalance utilize a movable barrier operator to control the position and speed of the barrier. If the operator fails, the barrier may freefall creating excessive velocity. Regardless of the approach used, once the door was released it fell due to gravity. One disadvantage of such an approach was that, at times, the door went into a freefall and built up too much speed. Freefall can be caused in a number of ways, including failures in the motor operator brake, roller chain drive, or torsion spring assembly. This situation can be dangerous for anyone standing in or trying to move through the doorway. The door can also be damaged badly when it hits the floor so as to compromise the security provided by the door.

In order to prevent these or similar situations from occurring, rolling door systems often included governors, safety brakes, or torsion spring assemblies to slow the door down if it began to move too fast. Another type of braking device is known as a stop lock or inertia brake.

While sometimes alleviating some of the above-mentioned problems, these devices suffered from several disadvantages. For instance, many of these previous devices were expensive to manufacture and implement because of the complexity, number, dimensions, and/or weight of the parts needed. In addition, because many of the previous systems used complex gearing arrangements that were heavy or bulky, installation was difficult and expensive. Flexibility in choosing amongst various drive systems or door operators also was hampered since the parts were typically custom-designed for a particular system. Stand-alone stop locks were available, but such components also added substantial complexity and cost to the system due to the requirement of additional door or system infrastructure elements, heavy duty bearings, and/or additional centrifugal triggering components. Moreover, known stop locks are sometimes difficult to reset after deployment in a system. SUMMARY

Example devices and methods described herein provide stop lock mechanisms that utilize hardware elements that are already present in barrier systems (for instance, existing brackets, rotating members, or wall structures to mention a few examples) while removing the need to deploy additional complex, bulky, difficult to install, and costly parts such as the counterbalance torsion springs. Certain examples described herein advantageously dissipate damaging energy and/or force created as the barrier falls and generate signals that may used to alert users to a potentially dangerous or damaging situation or used to control or deactivate the moveable barrier operator.

Typically, when a rolling barrier is released, the barrier begins to close due to the force of gravity. When the barrier falls, however, it must be prevented from travelling too fast or damage to the barrier or barrier system components or injury to a person or other property may occur. For these reasons and in some aspects, an area ("slip zone") of an existing mounting bracket is configured that allows the stop lock mechanism attached thereto to slip or slide a short distance across the mounting bracket. In so doing, the force of the stoppage of the barrier is directed away from the barrier (and the operator) and into a support structure for the mounting bracket, such as a wall. The force is also reduced by friction generated by an arrangement (for instance, two ring nuts) that frictionally holds the stop lock mechanism against the mounting bracket.

More specifically and in one aspect, an apparatus for reducing harmful forces in a rolling barrier system includes a mounting bracket and a stop lock mechanism. The mounting bracket is coupled to support the rolling barrier having a rotating member longitudinal axis about which the rolling barrier rotates. The mounting bracket is, in turn, coupled to a support structure such as building structure. The mounting bracket may be an existing mounting bracket already used to hold a barrier and/or a barrier operator that can be modified to support the stop lock mechanism.

The stop lock mechanism is configured to be in engagement with the mounting bracket. Increased or excessive speed of the rolling barrier causes the stop lock

mechanism to engage and the completely halt the rotation of the rotating sprocket and, therefore, the downward movement of the rolling barrier. In one approach, the stop lock mechanism is mounted in an arcuate opening in the mounting bracket such that the stop lock mechanism can frictionally slide along the arcuate opening after engaging the rotating sprocket to frictionally slow the movement before making a complete stop. The frictional braking and then stopping the downward movement of the rolling barrier generates the braking force with movement (for instance, slip) of the stop lock mechanism from a first position at the mounting bracket to a second position with respect to the mounting bracket.

The movement of the stop lock mechanism is effective to dissipate at least some of the generated braking force and is also effective to transfer at least some other of this generated braking force to the support structure. Using the devices and methods described herein, the energy or braking forces that would normally be directed and or absorbed by the rolling barrier (and/or the barrier operator), are directed instead to the mounting bracket and support to be dissipated.

The mounting bracket can be any type of arrangement that holds the barrier and/or the barrier operator. In one example, the mounting bracket is a metallic mounting plate.

However, it will be appreciated that the mounting bracket can be configured according to a wide variety of dimensions and constructed from a wide variety of materials.

When a mounting plate or similar arrangement is used as the mounting bracket, the mounting plate may include at least one aperture. The stop lock mechanism moves or slips along this aperture. The aperture may be configured or shaped to have at least one circumferential dimension (for instance, it may be arc-shaped or somewhat arc-shaped).

Other configurations for the aperture are possible.

Advantageously the arc of the slip zone directs the force of the stoppage of the barrier at an oblique angle into the support, such as a wall, thereby spreading the force into a relatively large area and keeping it from concentrating in one small area. As will be appreciated, this arrangement can reduce damage to the system during door movement stoppages. In one aspect the apparatus includes a mounting bracket configured to be coupled to a rolling barrier with a rotating member longitudinal axis. The mounting bracket is also configured to be coupled to a support structure to support the bracket and the barrier. The apparatus also includes a stop lock mechanism mounted to the mounting bracket. In one approach, the stop lock mechanism is configured to be in movable and fractional engagement with the mounting bracket. The stop lock mechanism includes an extending member having an extending member longitudinal axis generally parallel to the rotating member longitudinal axis. The extending member is radially offset from the rotating member longitudinal axis. At least one brake clasp is configured to engage the extending member and hold the extending member in an unlocked position and permit the rotating barrier to rotate. The brake clasp is also configured to move from the extending member and release the extending member to permit the extending measure to move along the extending member longitudinal axis in response to a rotation speed of the rolling barrier effecting movement of the brake clasp via centripetal force.

A rotating sprocket is configured to couple with a chain or belt to moves the barrier between an open and closed position. The rotating sprocket has a sprocket body with surfaces generally orthogonal to the rotating member longitudinal axis. The sprocket body also has a plurality of generally arcuate openings positioned circumferentially around the rotating sprocket. The rotating sprocket is operatively coupled to the brake clasp to translate rotational motion from the rolling barrier to the brake clasp so that the rotation speed of the rolling barrier is translated to the brake clasp to effect movement of the brake clasp from an engaged position to a disengaged position in response to the rotation speed exceeding a threshold speed, thereby allowing the extending member to move along its longitudinal axis into one of the plurality of accurate openings in the rotating sprocket to stop the rotation of the rotating sprocket and a downward movement of the rolling barrier because the extending member engages one of the arcuate openings in the sprocket body.

In another aspect, the above structure further includes at least one ring nut having a ring nut braking surface generally orthogonal to the extending member longitudinal axis. In this aspect, the mounting bracket has a mounting bracket braking surface. A stop lock aperture in the mounting bracket is configured for receipt of the stop lock and to slow the rotation of the rotating sprocket as the ring nut braking surface frictionally engages the mounting bracket braking surface. The ring nut braking surface moves over the mounting bracket braking surface in response to the extending member engaging the rotating sprocket to frictionally slow the barrier prior to the barrier reaching a full stop.

In another aspect the stop lock aperture in the mounting bracket is arcuate and comprises a wall having a circumference around the stop lock mechanism.

In another aspect, the stop lock mechanism includes a sensor or some type of sensing arrangement that is configured to detect the movement (or position) of portions of the stop lock mechanism, such as the extending member. In one example, the sensor is a plunger switch that drops as the member (for instance, a stop lock pin) moves laterally along an axis into the rotating sprocket (for instance, a drive sprocket or pulley for use with a belt). Once the sensor detects the movement (or position) of the extending member, a signal can be generated and used to deactivate or suspend operation of the operator to prevent stress or damage to the system. Alerts to a user can also be generated.

The signal may be generated according to the position of the extending member. In one approach, the signal is generated by the signaling device whenever the extending member resides in the unlocked position. In another example, the signal is generated by the signaling device whenever the extending member resides in the locked position. In yet another approach, the signal is generated by the signaling device whenever the extending member moves from the unlocked position to the locked position or vice versa.

An example method includes a brake clasp engaging an extending member of a stop lock mechanism. The extending member is held in an unlocked position using the brake clasp thereby permitting the rotating barrier to rotate. Rotational motion is translated from a rotating sprocket operatively coupled to the rotating barrier to rotate with the rotating barring to the brake clasp so that an increased speed of the rolling barrier is translated from the rotating sprocket to the brake clasp. In response to the increased speed of the rolling barrier effecting movement of the brake clasp via a centripetal force, the clasp moves from the extending member and releases the extending member such that it moves along a longitudinal axis that extends through the clasp and the extending member. The extending member moves along the longitudinal axis into one of a plurality of arcuate openings in the sprocket to stop the rotation of the rotating sprocket and downward movement of the rolling barrier.

Easy integration of the stop lock mechanism into existing systems and with a minimum of (or no additional) complex and/or heavy parts is also provided. In this respect, installers can retrofit existing systems without attaching or manipulating large, bulky, and/or cumbersome parts (such as torsion springs). Safety features are also provided that halt potentially dangerous downward travel of the barrier.

One example method of retrofitting an existing rolling barrier system with a stop lock mechanism includes mounting a stop lock mechanism to a mounting bracket that is coupled to the barrier system, wherein the stop lock mechanism includes an extending member. A braking clasp is mounted so as to be in releasable engagement with the extending member. The stop lock mechanism and the braking clasp are arranged so that openings in the rotating sprocket are positioned to receive the extending member of the stop lock mechanism when the braking clasp releases the extending member. The opening of the rotating sprocket may be stamped or otherwise created in an existing rotating sprocket as part of retrofitting an existing barrier system. This engagement is effective to halt the rotation of the rotating sprocket and the downward movement of the rolling barrier. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side view of a barrier system including a stop lock mechanism according to various embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side view of a barrier system including a stop lock mechanism in the unlocked position according to various embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a side view of a barrier system including a stop lock mechanism in the locked position according to various embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a barrier system including a stop lock mechanism with a force dissipation slot according to various embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a barrier system including a stop lock mechanism with a force dissipation slot according to various embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a brake clasp according to various embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a barrier system including a stop lock mechanism according to various embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a barrier system including a stop lock mechanism according to various embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a side view of a barrier system including a stop lock mechanism according to various embodiments of the present invention; FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a barrier system including a stop lock mechanism according to various embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is an exploded view of a holding mechanism and a stop lock mechanism used in the system of FIGs. 9 and 10 according to various embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 12 is an exploded view of a holding mechanism and a stop lock mechanism used in the system of FIGs. 9 and 10 according to various embodiments of the present invention; and

FIG. 13 is an end view of a holding mechanism and a stop lock mechanism used in the system of FIGs. 11 and 12 according to various embodiments of the present invention.

Skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions and/or relative positioning of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help to improve understanding of various embodiments of the present invention. Also, common but well-understood elements that are useful or necessary in a commercially feasible embodiment are often not depicted in order to facilitate a less obstructed view of these various embodiments of the present invention. It will further be appreciated that certain actions and/or steps may be described or depicted in a particular order of occurrence while those skilled in the art will understand that such specificity with respect to sequence is not actually required. It will also be understood that the terms and expressions used herein have the ordinary meaning as is accorded to such terms and expressions with respect to their corresponding respective areas of inquiry and study except where specific meanings have otherwise been set forth herein. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to FIGs. 1-5, in one aspect a drive chain or belt 905 (FIG. 9) engages a rotating sprocket 102 to turn and open and close a rolling barrier 106. The rolling barrier 106 may be any type of rolling barrier such as a fire door, a rolling garage door, sectional garage door (for instance, connected to a jack shaft), shutters, or rolling curtains. Other examples of rolling barriers are possible. The rolling barrier 106 wraps (to provide an open position) and unwraps (to provide a closed position) around a drum or cylinder 104 that is supported by and rotates around a shaft 132 that defines a rotating member longitudinal axis 150 around which the drum 104 rotates in a dead shaft configuration. In such an approach, the rotating sprocket 102 is connected to or is otherwise operatively coupled to the drum 104 to rotate with the drum 104 and rolling barrier 106. By another approach, the shaft 132 is a rotating member that rotates with the barrier 106 and rotating sprocket 102 in a live shaft configuration. The rotating sprocket 102 includes a plurality of apertures (e.g., holes or openings) 113.

A first gear 108 is attached to the rotating sprocket 102 to rotate with the rotating sprocket 102. The first gear 108 engages a second gear 110. A holding mechanism 112 includes a brake clasp 140, a first weight 141 and a second weight 142. As explained herein, the brake clasp 140 holds an extending member 114 of a stop lock mechanism 124, and then opens to release the extending member 114 when the centripetal force of the system exceeds a predetermined value. An extending member axis 151 extends through the extending member 114, the holding mechanism 112, and the second gear 110.

The masses and the shape of the weights 141 and 142 determine the speed of the gear 110 (and centripetal force threshold of the system) at which the brake clasp 140 releases the extending member 114. Generally speaking, the greater the mass of the weights 141 and 142, the lower the speed at which release occurs. The weights 141 and 142 may also be shaped to provide different release speeds (and centripetal force thresholds). In this respect, the mass of the weights 141 and/or 142 may be arranged or configured to be more outward from the extending member axis 151 resulting in release occurring at lower speeds than if the mass were concentrated towards the axis 151. In one example, the weights 141 and 142 have arcing cross sections creating an aperture extending therethrough to allow passage of the extending member 114.

The stop lock mechanism 124 includes a threaded body 133 and the extending member 114. A biasing member (for example, a spring) moves the extending member 114 once the holding member releases the extending member 124. A sensing device 120 may also be used to determine the position or movement of the extending member 114.

In one example, the stop lock mechanism 124 is in movable engagement with a bracket 122. The bracket 122 is coupled to a support structure 130, such as a building structure. The stop lock mechanism 124 engages the bracket 122 at an aperture 123 in the bracket 122 and is free to rotate in this aperture. The aperture 123 may be arcuate in shape to allow the stop lock mechanism 124 to move.

In one approach, the body 133 of the stop lock mechanism 124 is threaded so it can be turned to provide axial adjustment to suit the spacing between the bracket 122 and the rotating sprocket 102. The internal portion of the body 133 of the stop lock mechanism 124 in this approach, together with the holding mechanism 112, turn about the axis 151 as the second gear 110 turns.

Once set or placed in the locked position (with the extending member 114 engaged with the rotating sprocket 102), the stop lock mechanism 124 can be reset by pulling out the extending member 114 laterally in the direction indicated by the arrow 160, for example, by using a handle.

The stop lock mechanism 124 can be installed and removed easily. For instance, it may be deployed at the bracket 122 so that easy access to the stop lock mechanism 124 is provided by service personnel.

In one example of the operation of the system of FIGs. 1-5, when the barrier 106 is released due to, for instance, a loss of power or disconnection or loss of a chain or belt 705 (FIG. 9), the barrier 106 begins to close due to gravity. The rotating sprocket 102 begins to turn. The rotating sprocket 102 is operatively coupled through gears 108 and 110 to the stop lock mechanism 124 to turn the stop lock mechanism 124 and the holding mechanism 112. When the centripetal force exceeds a threshold, the holding mechanism 112 releases the extending member 114 to pass through gear 110 until it eventually slides into one of the plurality of apertures 113 of the rotating member 102 and stops the rotating member 102 from spinning, thereby stopping movement of the barrier 106. The extending member 114 is biased by a biasing arrangement (e.g., a spring, not shown in FIGs. 1-5). The biasing pushes the extending member 114 into engagement with one of the apertures 113 once the extending member 114 has been released by the holding mechanism 112.

The aperture 123 (for instance, an arcuate slot) of the bracket 122 allows the stop lock mechanism 124 to slide a short distance to direct the stopping force energy into the support structure 130 instead of being absorbed by the barrier structure.

In some examples, the stop lock mechanism 124 is attached to the bracket 122 on the same side of the rolling barrier 106 as the barrier operator or hoist mechanism. Other placements are possible. It will also be appreciated that users can utilize existing mounting brackets and existing rotating sprockets, for instance elements that are already included and present in the system, or existing elements that could be readily modified or replaced.

In other aspects, a drive chain or belt engages the rotating sprocket 102 so that a barrier operator or chain hoist is able to open and close the rolling door. The first gear 108 that turns with the rotating sprocket 102 (either from being bolted together, being mounted on the same rotating shaft, or by another coupling) engages the second gear 110. As the rotating sprocket 102 spins, the first gear 108 turns, which then rotates the second gear 110. The faster the drive sprocket 102 turns, the faster the second gear 110 will rotate. The second gear 110 will then spin the components of the holding mechanism 112 as well as the internal body of the stop lock mechanism 124. However, the extending member 114 will typically remain stationary.

Referring now to FIG. 6, an example brake clasp 140 includes two half circle arcs 602 and 604 (constructed of any suitable material such as metal or plastic) that are connected by springs 606 and 608. When at rest or traveling at lower speeds, the half circle arcs 602 and 604 hold the extending member in the center aperture 610. This prevents the extending member 114 from moving through the half circle arcs 602 and 604. However, once the drive sprocket 102 achieves a specific rotational speed, the springs 606 and 608 holding the half circle arcs 602 and 604 will stretch and begin to spread in the direction indicated by the arrow 612 due to the centripetal force generated by the rotation. This action allows the extending member 114 to be released, allowing it to be pushed through the body 133, and eventually into an aperture 113 in the sprocket 102.

The rotating sprocket 102 in this example includes one or more apertures 113 circumferentially disposed in its body. The apertures 113 are disposed at a specific distance from the center of the drive sprocket 102 (from the axis 150) to be engaged by the extending member 114 when released by the stop lock mechanism. As the rotating sprocket 102 spins, the extending member 114 is able to move into one of these apertures 113 as it goes by and catches the rotating sprocket 102 to stop its spin. The apertures 113 may be formed in the sprocket 102 by stamping, cutting, or any other suitable approach.

Sudden stops of a falling barrier can be traumatic and put a significant amount of impact force into the system as a result of the momentum and weight of the falling barrier 106. To mitigate damage in one example, a circumferential slip zone is provided in the mounting plate 122 connected to the support structure 130 such as a wall or other building substructure. The aperture 123 (stop slip zone) in one example is a short arc section in the bracket 122 that allows the stop lock mechanism 124 to slip or slide a short distance. It will be appreciated that in other examples, slippage is not allowed.

Typically, some or all of the force of the stoppage of the barrier is directed into the support structure. The force is first reduced by friction generated by the two ring nuts 126 that hold the stop lock mechanism onto the mounting bracket 122. The ring nuts 126 are on either side of the mounting plate 122 with fiber washers 111 between the ring nuts 126 and the mounting plate 122. This allows the ring nuts 126 to be tightened enough to securely hold the stop lock mechanism 124 in place during normal door operations.

During a freefall occurrence and actuation of the stop lock 124, the fiber washers 111 provide enough slip or slide to allow the ring nuts 126 and stop lock mechanism 124 to move through the slip zone while the friction of the fiber washer 111 against the mounting plate 122 dissipates some of the force generated by the falling door 106. In some examples, the washers 11 1 are removed and direct contact between the nuts and the bracket is allowed.

The arc of the slip zone aperture 123 directs the force of the door stop into an oblique angle (in other words, inclined, neither parallel nor perpendicular) with respect to the support structure, thus spreading that force into a larger area (than if the angle were non-oblique) and thereby keeping the force from concentrating in one small area. It will be appreciated that this arrangement will typically prevent or lessen damage to the system.

The stop lock mechanism 124 may also interact with a sensor 120. The sensor 120 detects the movement or position of the extending member 114. The sensor 120, in one example, can be a plunger switch that is biased downward. As the extending member 114 moves laterally along the axis 151 and into engagement with the drive sprocket 102, the plunger will spring downward, tripping a switch in the sensor 120 and thereby detecting the movement (or position) of the extending member 114. Once the sensor 120 detects the movement of the extending member 114, its signal can be used to shut off or suspend operation of the barrier operator to prevent stress or damage to the system. Alerts can also be sent to the user using any type of communication mechanism, such as lights or audio sources, to mention two examples.

The stop lock mechanism 124 can be tested. By, for example, disengaging the stop lock from the barrier, the mechanism can be spun to test the locking action. For example, an installer can attach and turn a handle to observe if and when the stop lock mechanism 124 is activated to release the extending member 114. Based on the observation, the placement, size, and/or shape of the weights 141 and 142 can be adjusted.

FIG. 2 shows the system in a position with the extending member 114 not extended

("unlocked"). In FIG. 3, the extending member 114 is released by the holding mechanism 112 and moves through apertures 113 in the rotating sprocket 102 to be in a "locked" position. It will be appreciated that the stop lock mechanism 124 of the examples of FIGs. 1- 5 can be constructed similarly (or in modified form) to the stop lock mechanism described with respect to FIGs. 11-13 below. For instance, the spring 1108 may be disposed on a side opposite of the extending member 1106 as that shown in FIG. 11 such that the extending member 1106 would extend in a direction opposite of arrow 1151 and through the holding mechanism into rotating sprocket.

FIGs. 7-10 illustrate another example stop lock mechanism, in this case configured for use with a live shaft barrier configuration where the shaft supporting the barrier turns with the barrier. In this example, the plate 722 includes fastener apertures 703 that are used to attach components to the plate 722. A first aperture 705 has extended through it a rotating member or axle 732 that couples the rotating sprocket 702 to a first gear 708. A second aperture 707 allows a gearing arrangement 709 to extend therethrough, for example to connect to a drive shaft of a motor to drive the gearing arrangement, which is connected to the rotating sprocket 702 by a chain 705 to drive the rotating sprocket 702 and the rotating barrier 706 having a drum 704. A second gear 710 is coupled to the first gear 708. The second gear 710 couples to a stop lock assembly 724 that is mounted through the third aperture 723. The stop lock assembly 724 includes a release mechanism 712. In another approach not shown in FIGS. 7-10, the aperture 723 may be arc-shaped to allow the stop lock assembly 724 to move or slide to dissipate energy when a door stoppage/ locking event occurs.

In this example, the first gear 708 and the second gear 710 are disposed on an opposite side of the bracket 722 from the rotating sprocket 702. As the rotating sprocket 702 turns (about the axis 750), it turns the first gear 708, which in turn rotates the second gear 710 (spinning about the axis 751). When a sufficient centripetal force is reached, and as will be explained in greater detail below with respect to FIGs. 11-13, a release mechanism releases portions of the stop lock mechanism 724 (such as an extending member or pin) to engage one of the plurality of apertures 713 in the sprocket 702 and stop the sprocket 702 from rotating. An aperture 772 in the first gear 708 allows a user to utilize a tool to pull the extending member out of engagement with the sprocket 702 to reset the system.

The gear 708 includes a grab handle 715 that allows manual turning of the gear 708, for example, to allow a user to test the stop lock mechanism 724 by loosening a grub screw 752 that when tightened causes the gear 708 to rotate with the axle 732. With the grub screw 752 loosened, the gear 708 can be spun, which will spin gear 710 to test the stop lock mechanism 724 without moving the barrier 706. In this manner, the stop lock mechanism 724 can be calibrated without operation of the barrier 706.

FIGs. 11-13 show the stop lock mechanism 1124 as well as a holding mechanism used in the system of FIGs. 7-10. A cover portion 1104 is connected to a hollow hub 1110 (that includes an end portion 1125) via connectors (e.g., screws) 1102. Two release pin plates 1114 are connected under normal conditions to the hub 1110 via connectors 1116 that extend into the hub 1110 via holes 1130 and into a channel 1131 of a pin 1106.

Springs 1112 connect the connector plates 1114 together. A spring 1108 biases the pin 1106 such that when the spring is compressed the pin 1106 does not extend through the aperture 1133 of the cover 1104, and when it is uncompressed, it pushes against lip 1135 to push the pin 1135 through the aperture 1133 in the direction indicated by the arrow labeled 1151. An engage disk 1118 surrounds a washer 1120. Fly out drive clogs 1 122 are masses that surround the end portion 1125 of the hub 1110 and are coupled together by springs 1124. A clutch assembly body 1128 surrounds a gear 1129 (the second gear 710 in FIGs. 7-10). The gear 1129 couples to the end portion 1125 to turn the hub 1110. A washer 1126 is disposed at the gear 1129.

In operation, the gear 1129 spins the hub 1110 (together with the clogs 1122 and release pin plates 1114). When sufficient centripetal force develops, the plates 1114 separate. This pulls the connectors 1116 from the channel 1131 through the holes 1137, thereby releasing the pin 1106 to move the direction indicated by the arrow 1151. The biasing force of the spring 1107 pushes against lip 1135 to push the pin 1106 into engagement with a rotating sprocket (e.g., the rotating sprocket 902 of FIGs. 9 and 10).

Those skilled in the art will recognize that a wide variety of modifications, alterations, and combinations can be made with respect to the above described

embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention, and that such

modifications, alterations, and combinations are to be viewed as being within the ambit of the inventive concept.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. An apparatus which stops a rolling barrier from falling at increased speeds, the apparatus comprising:

a mounting bracket configured to support a rolling barrier having a rotating member longitudinal axis about which the rolling barrier rotates, the mounting bracket also configured to be coupled to a support structure to support the mounting bracket and the rolling barrier; and

a stop lock mechanism mounted to the mounting bracket, the stop lock mechanism comprising:

an extending member having an extending member longitudinal axis generally parallel to the rotating member longitudinal axis, the extending member radially offset from the rotating member longitudinal axis,

at least one brake clasp configured to engage the extending member to hold the extending member in an unlocked position to permit the rotating barrier to rotate and the brake clasp also configured to move from the extending member and release the extending member to permit the extending measure to move along the extending member longitudinal axis in response to a rotation speed of the rolling barrier effecting movement of the brake clasp via centripetal force, and

a rotating sprocket configured to rotate with the rolling barrier when the rolling barrier moves between an open and closed position, the rotating sprocket comprising a sprocket body with surfaces generally orthogonal to the rotating member longitudinal axis, the sprocket body comprising a plurality of generally arcuate openings positioned circumferentially around the rotating sprocket, the rotating sprocket operatively coupled to the brake clasp to translate rotational motion from the rotating sprocket to the brake clasp so that the rotation speed of the rolling barrier is translated to the brake clasp to effect movement of the brake clasp from an engaged position to a disengaged position in response to the rotation speed exceeding a threshold speed to allow the extending member to move along its longitudinal axis into one of the plurality of accurate openings in the rotating sprocket to stop rotation of the rotating sprocket and a downward movement of the rolling barrier.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the stop lock mechanism further comprises at least one ring nut having a ring nut braking surface generally orthogonal to the extending member longitudinal axis, and wherein the mounting bracket has a mounting bracket braking surface and an stop lock aperture configured for receipt of the stop lock and to stop rotation of the rotating sprocket, the ring nut braking surface frictionally engaging the mounting bracket braking surface, the ring nut braking surface moving over the mounting bracket surface in response to the extending member engaging the rotating sprocket to slow the barrier prior to the barrier reaching a full stop.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the stop lock aperture in the mounting bracket is arcuate and comprises a wall having a circumference around the stop lock mechanism.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a switch that is configured to determine a position of the extending member.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the mounting bracket comprises a mounting plate.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the support structure is selected from the group consisting of a wall, a ceiling, and a beam.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the rolling barrier is selected from the group consisting of a fire door, a shutter, a rolling curtain, and a garage door.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the plurality of arcuate openings of the rotating sprocket comprises at least five openings.

9. A method for stopping a rolling barrier from falling at increased speeds, the rolling barrier supported by a mounting bracket, the mounting bracket attached to a support structure to support the mounting bracket and the rolling barrier, the method comprising:

engaging an extending member of a stop lock mechanism with a brake clasp;

holding the extending member in an unlocked position using the brake clasp and permitting the rotating member to rotate;

translating rotational motion from a rotating sprocket operatively coupled to the rotating barrier to rotate with the rotating barring to the brake clasp so that an increased speed of the rolling barrier is translated from the rotating sprocket to the brake clasp;

in response to the increased speed of the rolling barrier effecting movement of the brake clasp via a centripetal force, the brake clasp moving from the extending member and releasing the extending member such that it moves along a longitudinal axis that extends through the brake clasp and the extending member, and

moving the extending member along the longitudinal axis into one of a plurality of arcuate openings in the rotating sprocket to stop the rotation of the rotating sprocket and a downward movement of the rolling barrier.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein the stop lock mechanism further comprises at least one ring nut and a ring nut braking surface that is generally orthogonal to the longitudinal axis, and wherein the mounting bracket has a mounting bracket braking surface and a stop lock aperture, the method further comprising:

engaging the mounting bracket braking surface with the ring nut braking surface; moving the ring nut braking surface over the mounting bracket braking surface in response to the extending member moving through the mounting bracket aperture into the one of the plurality of accurate openings to slow the rotating barrier prior to the rotating barrier reaching a full stop.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein the moving the ring nut braking surface over the mounting bracket braking surface comprises moving the ring nut braking surface along an arcuate stop lock aperture in the mounting bracket.

12. The method of claim 9 further comprising sensing a position of the extending member.

13. The method of claim 12 further comprising issuing an alert based upon the sensing the position of the extending member.

14. The method of claim 12 further comprising operating a barrier operator according to the sensed position.

15. A method of retrofitting an existing rolling barrier system with a stop lock mechanism, the rolling barrier system including a rotating member, the rotating member being coupled to a rolling barrier to rotate with the rolling barrier, the method comprising:

mounting the stop lock mechanism to a mounting bracket that is coupled to the barrier system, the stop lock mechanism including an extending member;

mounting a braking clasp so as to be in releasable engagement with the extending member;

arranging the stop lock mechanism and the braking clasp so that the rotating sprocket is in position to receive the extending member of the stop lock mechanism in response to the braking clasp releasing the extending member, the receiving of the extending member being effective to halt the rotation of the rotating sprocket and downward movement of the rolling barrier.

16. The method of claim 15 further comprising configuring the stop lock mechanism to move across a portion of the mounting bracket in response to the receiving of the extending member by the rotating sprocket causing a force on the stop lock mechanism.

17. The method of claim 15 further comprising testing the stop lock mechanism by turning the rotating sprocket.