The Chamberlain Group, Inc.

The Chamberlin Group, Inc.

William George Gioia

Eric J Robb

David Stafford

Richard L Hill

Robert S Study, Iii

Edward Kukulski

Robert S Study

James Joseph Fitzgibbon

James S Murray

Robert Study

Andrew Gavel

Terence E Crimmins

Robert Rainey

Theodore Brent Freese

Randy L Planck

James Scott Murray

In one aspect, a method of operating a movable barrier operator includes engaging a flexible driven member with a drive of the movable barrier operator. The method includes moving the flexible driven member in a first direction to move a movable barrier connected to the driven member and monitoring the position of the movable barrier. In response to the movable barrier reaching a given position, the driven member is moved in a second direction without moving the movable barrier to remove slack from the driven member. A movable barrier apparatus includes a movable barrier controller operatively coupled to the movable barrier operator. The movable barrier controller is configured to cause the movable barrier operator to reverse direction of the flexible driven member a distance after stopping movement of the movable barrier without moving the movable barrier.

Driven member positioner

A method of operating a movable barrier operator includes engaging a flexible driven member with a drive of the movable barrier operator. The method includes moving the flexible driven member in a first direction to move a movable barrier connected to the driven member and monitoring the position of the movable barrier. In response to the movable barrier reaching a given position, the driven member is moved in a second direction without moving the movable barrier to remove slack from the driven member. A movable barrier apparatus includes a movable barrier controller operatively coupled to the movable barrier operator. The movable barrier controller is configured to cause the movable barrier operator to reverse direction of the flexible driven member a distance after stopping movement of a movable barrier without moving the movable barrier.

Method of removing slack from a flexible driven member

Methods and apparatus for controlling a barrier movement operator having a timer-to-close feature are disclosed. The methods and apparatus include arrangements for conveniently inhibiting and re-activating the timer-to-close feature and for providing a mid-stop position during movement toward the closed position. Additionally, the embodiments include methods and apparatus for reversing barrier operation.

Barrier movement operator including time to close feature

An access control system is provided for a movable barrier. A main communication unit grants access to a movable barrier operator. The movable barrier operator controls movement of the movable barrier. A remote communication unit has an input device to receive an access request and to transmit a corresponding access signal to the main communication unit and to transmit a status indication to the main communication unit in response to detecting a predetermined event.

Intercom unit for providing a status alert for a movable barrier

A post () for use with an automatically-movable barrier () and a motive actuator () is configured to interact with the barrier to thereby facilitate movement of the barrier with respect to the post. This post can have at least one cavity () formed axially therein and a mains-power-bearing pathway () disposed within this at least one cavity to convey mains electrical power to movable barrier control circuitry () as well as the motive actuator. Such a post can further comprise one or more integral pivot points () that are configured to pivotally engage the automatically-movable barrier such that the automatically-movable barrier can selectively pivot about the integral pivot point. By another approach, such a post can further comprise one or more rollers () that are configured to engage the automatically-movable barrier such that the latter can selectively move in a lateral direction through engagement with the roller(s).

Apparatus and method pertaining to a pre-configured post for use with an automatically-movable barrier

Barrier movement operator including direction switch feature

An electronic service reminder to automatically notify a user as to when and what type of maintenance should be performed on the garage door operator, based on a variety of factors, including time, materials and operating environment. The garage door operator is configured to automatically generate an electronic service reminder in the form of an audible or visual alert based on one or more operating parameters of the garage door operator meeting or exceeding a predefined threshold. The predefined threshold is variable based on the values of the operating parameters.

Barrier movement operator having service reminders

A barrier movement operator is having a position sensor in a telescoping barrier control arm is described. A controller, remote from the arm, senses the barrier position to identify limits of barrier travel and to control rate of travel of the barrier between limits. The operator includes both optical and edge sensor obstruction detectors and is responsive to wireless communication for receiving user initiated command signals.

Automatic gate operator

A movable barrier operator having a microprocessor () or other programmable platform will automatically work in a safe and appropriate manner both with and without safe-operation sensors (). Once a safe-operation sensor is detected, the operator will thereafter function in a fashion that requires the continued presence of such sensor. In one embodiment, the operator state can be purposely reset to the initial operating state.

Automatic sensing of safe-operation sensor apparatus and method

Movement of a movable barrier () such as, for example, a vertically-dropping fire door, can be controlled in an informed manner and with greater flexibility regarding the manner of movement via, in one embodiment, use of a motor () as a generator to resist the downward movement of the barrier. One or more dummy electrical loads () can be used in combination with the generator mode of operation to influence the degree of braking proffered by the motor. In various embodiments, one or more sensors () can be used to detect local and remote conditions of interest to thereby at least partially inform the barrier movement decision process. A display () (or displays) can serve to provide various kinds of information to authorized personnel and an operator control () can serve, at least under some operating circumstances, to permit a person to locally cause a closed barrier to move to at least a partially opened position.

Growing community of inventors

Winfield, IL, United States of America

William George Gioia