Gmi Holdings, Inc.

Overhead Door Corporation

Gregory E Williams

Nicholas A Dragomir

Thomas Angelini

James A White

James W Stottsberry

Walter Dennis Reber

Brett A Reed

Dennis W Waggamon

Louis G Whitaker

Terry Lee Crock

Robert C Kass

A movable barrier operator release mechanism includes an operator chassis having a first side. A shaft extending in a first direction from the first side of the chassis. A brake assembly coupled to the chassis and the first shaft extends into the brake assembly. The brake assembly includes a lever, mounted to a mounting plate of the brake assembly on end and freely movable at the other end. A cable attached to the lever that when pulled pivots the lever about its mounting point. When moved, the lever disengages the brake assembly allowing for free movement of the movable barrier.

Release mechanism for a door operator

A movable barrier operator includes a first side panel having a first opening and a second side panel, opposing the first side panel, where the second side panel has a second opening. The operator further includes a motor having a first side and an opposing second side including a first shaft extending in a first direction and a second shaft of the motor extending in a second opposite direction. The operator further includes a first bearing, the first bearing inserted into the first opening of the first side panel, wherein the first shaft of the motor is inserted through the first bearing and a second bearing, the second bearing inserted into the second opening of the second side panel, wherein the second shaft of the motor is inserted through the second bearing to thereby prevent transfer of vibration from the motor to the second side panel.

Door operator with isolated components

A door operator system for an upward acting sectional or one piece (California-type) garage door includes a DC variable speed motor directly connected to a drive mechanism for moving the door between open and closed positions. A motor control circuit includes circuit components for reversing the direction of rotation of the motor and for delivering a pulse width modulated voltage signal to the motor to control motor speed. A current sensor including a split core transformer and a Hall effect sensor detects motor current and provides a signal to a microcontroller for stopping the motor or stopping and reversing the motor if the motor current reaches a preset limit which is user settable by potentiometers connected to the microcontroller. Magnetic position limit switches and an obstruction detector are operably connected to the microcontroller to provide input signals indicating the state of the door and the control circuit. A motor shaft mounted encoder provides a pulse-type signal to the microcontroller to provide a speed signal and a door position signal. The microcontroller is operable to control operation of the motor to move the door toward an open position at a speed at least twice the speed of movement of the door to a closed position. The encoder and microcontroller detect maximum door travel in the door opening mode and reduce motor speed in subsequent operating cycles if the operator is connected to a one piece door.

Door operator system

A garage door operator is disclosed to have a front coupling for a threaded screw of the operator and the rotor of the motor. The coupling includes a first coupling device that is a unitary coupling member with opposing recesses for receiving each of the rotor shaft and an end portion of the screw. The unitary coupling member thereby connects the screw to the motor for torque transmission from the motor. The second coupling device includes a thrust containment device that is supported on the screw, and an intermediate assembly disposed between the thrust containment device and an end portion of the guide rail of the door operator. A retainer component of the intermediate assembly restricts expansion of the thrust containment device.

Clutchless screw drive door operator

A door operator for a reversibly operable door includes a frame and a carriage movably mounted on the frame and attached to a door for moving the door between open and closed positions. A drive member, specifically a roller chain, extends along the frame and moves the carriage. A drive train is provided within a housing and is connected for moving the drive member, and a control circuit is provided for controlling the drive train to open and close the door. A pair of limit switches is mounted within the housing and connected to the control circuit for stopping the drive train when the door has reached a completed position. A pair of limit cams are adjustably mounted on a limit wheel within the housing and separate from the carriage for engaging the limit switches. The limit wheel, which is separate from the drive member, is connected to the drive train to rotate when the drive train moves the carriage. The placement of limit switches and associated connecting wiring along the frame in the garage ceiling is eliminated. The limit cams can be easily and automatically positioned on the limit wheel by pushing a single switch without any manual movement of the limit switches or of the movable cams that contact the limit switches.

Limit switch arrangement for garage door operator

A door operator for a reversibly operable door, such as a garage door, includes a frame and a carriage movably mounted on the frame and attached to a door for moving the door between open and closed positions. A flexible drive member, such as an endless chain, extends on the frame and is capable of moving the carriage. A drive train is on the frame connected for moving the flexible drive member. A motor housing is mounted on the frame within the motor housing and connected to the drive train. The motor has a shaft extending from the motor housing and engaging the drive train. A bearing assembly that includes metal thrust bearings is on the shaft adjacent to the motor. The metal thrust bearing assembly increases the performance of the electric motor, and thus provides a more powerful motor without changing to a larger motor or otherwise modifying the motor design. The motor is mounted on the frame so as to allow the shaft freely to move axially relative to the motor to permit the shaft to self-align. The rotor thus seeks its position of least resistance and maintains this position without manual adjustment, providing an improvement in motor performance.

Growing community of inventors

Minerva, OH, United States of America

Gregory E Williams