U.S. patent number 3,733,747 [Application Number 05/230,628] was granted by the patent office on 1973-05-22 for door operating mechanism.
This patent grant is currently assigned to H. W. Crane Company. Invention is credited to Edward I. Fox, Raymond J. Fullem.
| United States Patent |
3,733,747 |
| Fox , et al. |
May 22, 1973 |
DOOR OPERATING MECHANISM
Abstract
This invention relates to a door operating mechanism for moving
a door in opening and closing movements in response to actuation of
a selectively operable door operating switch. The door operating
mechanism has an electric drive motor which is reversibly operated
under the control of reverse and forward motor control switches to
respectively open and close the door at a selected rate. The door
operating mechanism is characterized by the provision of an
electric timer, operated under the control of the door operating
switch, and a cam mechanism driven by the timer at a speed related
to the selected rate of door movement for operating forward and
reverse motor control switches to control the mode and duration of
door movement.
|
Inventors: |
Fox; Edward I. (Chicago,
IL), Fullem; Raymond J. (North Riverside, IL) |
|
Assignee: |
H. W. Crane Company (Maywood,
IL)
|
| Family
ID: |
22865960 |
| Appl.
No.: |
05/230,628 |
| Filed: |
March 1, 1972 |
| Current U.S.
Class: |
49/30; 49/200;
318/266 |
| Current CPC
Class: |
E05F
15/684 (20150115); E05Y 2800/00 (20130101); E05Y
2900/106 (20130101) |
| Current International
Class: |
E05F
15/16 (20060101); E05f 015/20 () |
| Field of
Search: |
;49/28,29,30,199,200,360
;318/266,267,265 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Taylor; Dennis L.
Claims
The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or
privilege is claimed are defined as follows:
1. A door operating mechanism comprising: a reversible electric
drive motor and means for operatively connecting the drive motor to
a door to effect opening and closing movement of the door at a
selected rate when the drive motor is respectively rotated in
reverse and forward directions, a first switch means operable when
actuated to energize said drive motor in said reverse direction and
a second switch means operable when actuated to energize said drive
motor in said forward direction, a unidirectional electric timer
motor, rotary cam means driven by said timer motor through an
operating cycle at a speed related to said selected rate of door
movement and operative during a first portion of the cam cycle to
actuate said first switch means to energize the drive motor in said
reverse direction and maintain said first switch means actuated for
a preselected time interval sufficient to effect opening of the
door and then deactuate said first switch means to stop opening
movement of the door, the cam means being operative during a second
portion of the cam cycle to actuate said second switch means to
energize said drive motor in said forward direction and maintain
said second switch means energized for said preselected time
interval to effect closing of the door and then deactuate said
second switch means to stop closing movement of the door, and timer
control means including door operating switch means operative when
actuated, to energize said timer motor to rotate the cam means.
2. A door operating mechanism according to claim 1 wherein said
timer control means includes a hold switch means operative when
actuated to energize said timer motor, said cam means including
means operative during said first portion of said operating cycle
to actuate said hold switch means to continue energization of the
timer motor until said cam means deactuates said first switch
means.
3. A door operating mechanism according to claim 2 including
electroresponsive means operated under the control of said door
operating switch means for interrupting energization of said drive
motor in said forward direction whenever said door operating switch
means is deactuated.
4. A door operating mechanism according to claim 2 wherein said
second switch means is mounted for movement into and out of an
operative position in the path of travel of said cam means, and
means responsive to actuation of said door operating switch means
for moving said second switch means to its operative position and
responsive to deactuation of said door operating switch means to
move the second switch means out of its operative position to
thereby interrupt closing movement of the door whenever the door
operating switch means is deactuated.
5. A door operating mechanism according to claim 1 wherein said
second switch means is mounted for movement into and out of an
operative position in the path of travel of said cam means, and
means responsive to actuation of said door operating switch means
for moving said second switch means to its operative position and
responsive to deactuation of said door operating switch means to
move the second switch means out of its operative position to
thereby interrupt closing movement of the door whenever the door
operating switch means is deactuated.
6. A door operating mechanism according to claim 1 including lamp
control switch means operated by said cam means for energizing a
lamp when the door is open.
7. A door operating mechanism comprising: a reversible electric
drive motor and means for operatively connecting the drive motor to
a door to effect opening and closing movement of the door at a
selected rate when the motor is respectively rotated in reverse and
forward directions, a rotary cam having a cam portion along its
periphery, a first switch means having an actuator positioned at a
first location in the path of travel of said cam portion and
operative when actuated by the cam portion to energize the drive
motor in said reverse direction, a second switch means having an
actuator positioned at a second location in the path of travel of
the cam portion and operative when actuated to energize said drive
motor in said forward direction, said second location being
approximately 180.degree. with respect to said cam means from said
first location whereby said cam means actuates said first and
second switch means during alternate half revolutions of said cam
means and said cam portion having an arcuate extent sufficiently
less than 180.degree. to provide a delay interval between
actuations of said first and second switch means, a unidirectional
electric timer motor operable when energized to rotate said cam
means at a speed related to said preselected rate of door movement
such that said cam portion actuates said first and second switches
for a time interval sufficient to effect opening and closing
movement of a door, and timer control means including door
operating switch means operative when actuated to energize the
timer motor to rotate said cam means.
8. A door operating mechanism according to claim 7 wherein said
timer control means includes a hold switch means operative when
actuated to energize said timer motor, said cam means including
means for actuating said hold switch means while said cam portion
engages the actuator of the first switch means to maintain the
timer motor energized until said cam portion deactuates said first
switch means.
9. A door operating mechanism according to claim 7 including
electroresponsive means operated by said door operating switch
means for interrupting energization of said drive motor in said
forward direction whenever said door operating switch means is
deactuated.
10. A door operating mechanism according to claim 8 wherein said
second switch means is mounted for movement into and out of an
operative position in the path of travel of said cam means, and
means responsive to actuation of said door operating switch means
for moving said second switch means to its operative position and
responsive to deactuation of said door operating switch means to
move the second switch means out of its operative position to
thereby interrupt closing movement of the door whenever the door
operating switch means is deactuated.
11. A door operating mechanism according to claim 7 wherein said
second switch means is mounted for movement into and out of an
operative position in the path of travel of said cam means, and
means responsive to actuation of said door operating switch means
for moving said second switch means to its operative position and
responsive to deactuation of said door operating switch means to
move the second switch means out of its operative position to
thereby interrupt closing movement of the door whenever the door
operating switch means is deactuated.
12. A door operating mechanism according to claim 7 wherein said
drive motor comprises a permanent-split-capacitor type motor having
first and second motor windings and a motor capacitor connected to
one end of each winding, said first and second switch means
comprising first and second normally open single-pole switches
respectively connected in series with said first and second motor
windings and a source of power.
13. A door operating mechanism according to claim 7 including lamp
control switch means having an actuator positioned in the path of
travel of said cam means at a third location intermediate said
first and second locations to be actuated when said cam means is
stopped with the door in its open position.
Description
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
The door operating mechanism of the present invention is generally
adapted for use in operating doors such as garage doors as well as
industrial and commercial doors. Doors of this type include what is
commonly known as overhead sectional track type, one-piece track
type, one-piece pivotal or trackless type, or one or two-piece
swinging, one-piece sliding, two-piece sliding or bi-parting, and
others.
It is common practice in door operating mechanisms to utilize a
reversible electric drive motor to effect opening and closing
movement of the door. Some prior door operating mechanisms directly
sense linear movement of the door by limit switches positioned
alongside the path of movement of the door or the door operating
trolley, and others sense linear movement of the door by limit
switches operated by rotary actuators driven through a speed
reducing mechanism from the door drive motor. Many door operating
switches, however, whether of the manual pushbutton type or remote
radio controlled type, are merely single pole switches which
produce a similar signal to initiate either opening or closing
movement and it was accordingly necessary in the prior door
operating mechanism to provide additional switch mechanism to
control the mode of operation in a manner such that actuation of
the door operating switch produces opening movement of the door
when the door is closed and closing movement of the door when the
latter is open.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a door operating mechanism of the
type having a reversible electric drive motor and mechanism for
operatively connecting the drive motor to a door to effect opening
and closing movement of the door at a selected rate when the drive
motor is respectively rotated in reverse and forward directions.
The invention provides a novel mechanism for actuating the forward
and reverse switches for the drive motor utilizing an electric
timer and a rotary cam mechanism driven by the timer at a speed
related to the selected rate of door movement and operative during
one portion of the cam cycle to actuate the reverse switch and
energize the drive motor in a reverse direction for a time interval
sufficient to effect opening movement of the door, and operative
during a second portion of the cam cycle to actuate the forward
switch and energize the drive motor in forward direction to close
the door. The timer is energized under the control of a door
operating switch and the timer operated cam mechanism operates to
both control of the mode and duration of energization of the drive
motor to effect a selected opening movement of the door when the
latter is closed and a corresponding closing movement of the door
when the door is open. In order tO insure proper timing of the
opening movement of the door, in the event the door operating
switch is deactuated before the door is fully opened, a hold switch
mechanism is advantageously provided and arranged for operation by
the timer controlled cam mechanism to maintain the timer motor
energized during opening movement of the door. In order to allow
selective stopping of the door during closing, without loss of
timing control, provision is made for interrupting energization of
the door drive motor whenever the door actuator switch is
deactuated.
It is the object of the present invention to provide a door
operating mechanism having a simple and reliable control for
controlling the mode and duration of door operation during its
opening and closing movements.
Another object of this invention is to provide a door operating
mechanism in accordance with the foregoing object and which enables
full door opening movement with only a short duration closing of
the door operating switch.
Another object of this invention is to provide a door operating
mechanism in which the door can be stopped in any intermediate
position during closing by merely deactuating the door operating
switch, without loss of timing control.
These, together with other objects and advantages of this
invention, will be more readily understood by reference to the
following detailed description when taken in connection with the
accompanying drawings wherein:
FIG. 1 is a side elevation of a typical installation of a door
operator mechanism for opening and closing a door;
FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the door operator mechanism with
portions of the housing broken away to illustrate the
construction;
FIG. 3 is a rear side view of the door operator mechanism taken on
the plane 3--3 of FIG. 2;
FIGS. 4, 5, 6, and 7 are diagrammatic views illustrating the timer
operated cam and switch mechanism in different operative positions;
and
FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of an electrical control circuit for
the door operator mechanism.
FIG. 1 in the drawings illustrates somewhat diagrammatically a side
elevation of a conventional garage door installation with the door
operator mechanism of the present invention applied thereto. It
will be understood that this is by way of illustration and that the
invention may be applied to other garage door installations
including overhead sectional type; one-piece track type; one-piece
pivotal or trackless type; one or two-piece swinging type;
one-piece sliding and two-piece sliding or bi-parting and others.
As shown in the drawings, the garage door designated generally by
the reference numeral 11 is of the one-piece type mounted by
suitable mechanism for movement from a vertically disposed closed
position to a horizontally disposed opened position. In the
illustrated embodiment, this mounting means includes (usually at
each side of the door) a bracket 13 fixed to the door jam 14,
linkages 15 and 16 connected to the door 11 and to the bracket 13,
and a tension spring 17 connected to the linkage 15 and to the door
jam and arranged to counteract with weight of the door and
yieldably urge the door toward an open position.
The door operating mechanism 21 is mounted, as by brackets 22, from
an overhead support such as a ceiling, and, in the embodiment
shown, a track 23 has one end connected at 23a to the door operator
mechanism 21 and at its other end connected by a mounting bracket
23b to the wall over the door opening. A trolley 24 is slidable
along the track and is connected by a door operating arm 25 to the
door. The door operating arm 25 is pivotally connected at its
opposite ends 25a and 25b to the trolley and door respectively, and
the trolley operates, when moved rearwardly along the track (toward
the left as viewed in FIG. 1), to pull the door toward a generally
horizontal open position. Conversely, when the trolley is moved
forwardly (to the right as viewed in FIG. 1) it operates to move
the door to a generally upright closed position. As is conventional
in door operators of this type, a cable, chain or screw is provided
for moving the trolley along the track and, in the form shown, the
trolley 24 is connected to one run of an endless chain 26 that
extends along the track and is entrained over an idler sprocket 27
at the forward end of the track and over a drive sprocket 28 (FIGS.
2 and 3) at the rear end.
Referring now specifically to FIGS. 2 and 3, the door operating
mechanism 21 includes a reversible electric drive motor 31 having
an output shaft 31a drivingly connected to the drive sprocket 28,
through a speed reducing drive mechanism which is preferably
arranged to slip under overload to prevent damage to the motor. In
the embodiment shown, the motor 31 is mounted on a support plate 33
and the motor shaft 31a extends through the support plate and has
its outboard end supported in a bearing bracket 34 secured to the
support plate as by fasteners 34a. A worm gear 32 is nonrotatably
mounted on the motor shaft 31a and meshes with a worm wheel 35
which is rotatably supported on an upright drive shaft 37. Shaft 37
is rotatably supported in combined radial and thrust bearings 38
and 39 in the upper and lower legs of a generally U-shaped bracket
40 secured to the mounting plate 33, and downward movement of the
shaft 37 is limited by a thrust collar 42 and a split ring 43
disposed in a groove in the shaft. The trolley drive sprocket 28 is
nonrotatably secured to the upper end of the shaft for rotation
therewith. A slip clutch mechanism is provided for drivingly
connecting the worm wheel 33 to the shaft 37, so as to normally
drive the shaft 37 at a speed and in a direction correlative with
the speed and direction of rotation of the screw 32 on the electric
drive motor 31. The slip clutch can be of any suitable construction
and, in the embodiment shown, comprises opposed clutch plates 43
and 44 disposed at opposite sides of the worm wheel 33 and in
frictional engagement with suitable clutch faces on opposite sides
of the worm wheel. The clutch plates 43 and 44 are slidably and
nonrotatably keyed to the shaft 37 and the plates are yieldably
urged into frictional engagement with the clutch faces at opposite
sides of the worm wheel by a spring 45 interposed between one of
the clutch plates 44 and a thrust washer 46 which is adjustably
positioned by a nut 47 threaded on the shaft. As will be seen,
adjusting the nut 47 along the shaft toward the worm wheel
increases the spring pressure supplied to the clutch plates 43, 44
to control slippage between the worm wheel 33 and the shaft. In
practice, the nut is adjusted so as to normally prevent slippage
between the worm wheel and the shaft and is arranged to slip only
when the door strikes an obstruction or otherwise encounters
excessive resistance to movement in either direction.
The electric drive motor 31 is of the reversible type and is
preferably a single-phase permanent-split-capacitor type induction
motor diagrammatically shown in FIG. 8 and having first and second
field windings 51 and 52 with a first or common lead 53 connected
to one end of each of the windings 51 and 52, and second and third
motor leads 54 and 55 connected to the other ends of each of the
windings 51 and 52. A motor overload protector 56 can be provided
in the common lead 53 and a motor phase shifting capacitor 58 is
connected to the second and third motor leads 54 and 55. As shown
in FIGS. 2 and 3, the capacitor 58 is conveniently mounted by a
bracket 58a on the shaft mounting bracket 40.
The door operating unit 22 is connected to a source of electrical
power such as the usual 115 volt AC household power supply
indicated at S in FIG. 8 through conductors 61 and 62. The common
motor lead 53 is connected to one of the power supply conductors 61
and the second motor lead 54 is connected through a normally open
switch 63 and conductor 64 to the other power supply conductor 62,
to energize the motor in a reverse direction when the switch 63 is
closed. The third motor lead 55 is connected through normally open
switch 67 and conductors 66, 64 to the power supply conductor 62,
so as to energize the motor in a reverse direction when the switch
67 is closed. As will be seen from FIG. 8, when the switch 63 is
closed, power is supplied directly through one motor lead 54 to
motor winding 51 and through the phase shifting capacitor 58 and
motor lead 55 to the other winding 52 to cause rotation of the
motor in one direction, herein referred to as the reverse
direction, to move the trolley 24 rearwardly for opening the door.
Conversely, when the other switch 67 is closed, power is supplied
through conductors 64, 66 and motor lead 55 directly to the motor
winding 52, and through phase shifting capacitor 58 and motor lead
54 to the other motor winding 51, to drive the motor in the other
or forward direction to move the trolley 24 forwardly to close the
door. In accordance with the present invention, the sequence and
duration of operation of the reverse and forward switches 63 and 67
is controlled by a timer controlled cam mechanism designated
generally by the number 71.
The timer controlled cam mechanism 71 includes a unidirectional
electric timer motor 72 of the synchronous type which is operative,
when energized, to rotate its output shaft 72a through a built-in
speed reducing mechanism 72b at a low speed related to the selected
rate of door movement by the drive motor 31 and such that the
output shaft 72a will be rotated through one-half revolution in a
time interval slightly greater than the time interval required for
the drive motor 31 to move the door from its closed to a selected
open position. The timer motor 72 and speed reducing mechanism 72b
can be mounted in any suitable manner and as shown in FIGS. 2 and
3, the timer motor is secured to a housing wall 75 attached to the
motor support plate 33. A cam 76 is nonrotatably secured to the
timer motor shaft for rotation therewith, and the switches 63 and
67 are mounted at locations to be actuated by the cam 76. The
switches 63 and 67 are preferably arranged so that the cam 76
alternately actuates the switches 63 and 67 and for this purpose
the switches 63 and 67 are positioned angularly with respect to the
cam 76 so that the actuators 63a and 67a are angularly spaced apart
around the cam 180.degree. from each other. In other words, the
switches 63 and 67 are positioned so that the actuators 63a and 67a
are located in diametrically opposite sides of the cam. Cam 76 is
arranged to be rotated in the direction indicated by the arrows in
FIGS. 4-8 and has a raised cam portion 76a extending through
somewhat less than 180.degree. of the cam periphery to provide a
delay interval between actuation of the switches 63 and 67. A rise
portion 76b is provided at the lead end of the cam portion 76a to
effect smooth actuation of the switches, and a fall portion 76c is
provided at the trail end of the cam portion shaped to effect rapid
opening of the switches. As previously mentioned, the timer motor
is selected to drive the cam at a speed related to the rate of
movement of the door by the drive motor 31 and such that the cam
portion maintains the reverse and forward switches 63 and 67
respectively actuated for a time interval sufficient to allow the
drive motor to effect a preselected opening and closing movement of
the door. For example, if the drive motor, operating through the
speed reducing gearing and drive mechanism previously described is
arranged to effect opening movement of the door in a time interval
of about 14 seconds, then the timer motor is selected so as to
complete one revolution in a time interval somewhat greater than
twice the time required for opening the door, viz. about 36
seconds, to provide 14 seconds for opening and 14 seconds for
closing and a delay interval of about 4 seconds between actuation
of the switches 63 and 67. It is understood of course that this
delay interval between actuations can be varied somewhat from time
described and that the speed of operation of the door can also be
varied to provide a desired rate of door movement. With the
above-described times, the cam portion 76a is selected to have an
acurate extent between 150.degree. - 160.degree..
The timer motor 72 is selectively energized under the control of a
door operating switch mechanism 81. Door operating switches are
commonly of the same single-pole type and frequently include a
manually operable, normally open switch 81a which can be operated
by a push-button or a key, and a normally open remotely operated
switch 81b commonly operated to its closed position by a radio
controlled operator 82. The door operating switch mechanism is
arranged so that the timer motor 72 is energized whenever the
manually operated switch 81a or remote operated switch 81b is
closed and, preferably, the timer is arranged to operate at a low
voltage for example at 24 volts so as to simplify wiring. For this
purpose, a step-down transformer 83 is provided and has its primary
83a connected across power supply conductors 61, 62 and its
secondary connected to provide low voltage power at terminals 84,
85. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the transformer 83 is conveniently
mounted on a housing wall 75a. As diagrammatically illustrated in
FIG. 8, the timer motor has one lead 86 connected to one of the low
voltage terminals 84. The door operating switches 81a and 81b are
connected by conductors 88 and 89 to the other low voltage terminal
85 and are operative, when either switch 81a or 81b is actuated to
its closed position, to apply power through conductor 90 and timer
motor lead 87, to the timer motor to energize the same. Thus, the
door operating switches 81a and 81b are connected electrically in
parallel with each other so that closing of either one of the door
operating switches 81a or 81b starts energization of the timer
motor 72. In order to assure continued energization of the timer
motor during opening of the door, a hold switch 91 is provided and
arranged for operation by a cam 76. Hold switch 91 is of the
normally open single-pole type and is connected electrically in
parallel with door operating switches 81a and 81b by conductors 92
and 93 to supply power to the timer motor and maintain the timer
motor energized when the hold switch 91 is closed. Hold switch 91
is advantageously mounted alongside the reverse operating switch 63
for the drive motor as shown in FIG. 2 and has its actuator 91a
positioned so as to be closed whenever the cam portion 76a operates
the switch 63 to its closed position. Thus, in order to open the
door, it is only necessary to close the door operating switch for a
short time interval sufficient to energize the timer motor and
cause the cam portion 76a to close the forward switch 63 and the
hold switch 91. Hold switch 91 remains closed as the cam rotates
until the cam portion 76a moves past the actuator 63a to allow
switches 63, 91 to open. In order to assure that the timer motor is
energized whenever the reverse switch 63a is closed to energize the
drive motor in its reverse or door opening direction, provision is
preferably made to effect actuation of hold switch 91 to its closed
position slightly before switch 63 is closed by cam portion 76a and
to maintain switch 91 closed until slightly after switch 63 is
opened by cam portion 76a. This can be easily achieved by shaping
the cam 76 so that the cam portion that engages actuator 91a has a
slightly greater arcuate extent than the cam portion that engages
actuator 63a.
During closing movement of the door it is desirable to be able to
stop the door in any intermediate or partially closed position, in
the event the person operating the door notes the presence of an
individual or some obstruction in the path of movement of the door.
In order to enable selective stopping of the door in any
intermediate position during closing of the same, provision is made
for interrupting energization of the drive motor in its reverse
direction, whenever the door operating switches 81a, 81b are
deactuated. In the preferred embodiment illustrated, this is
effected by mounting the forward motor operating switch 67 for
shifting movement relative to the cam 76 into and out of an
operative position. As best shown in FIGS. 5-7, the switch 67 is
mounted on a lever 95 which is pivotally supported at one end by a
pin 96 on the housing wall 75, to enable movement of the switch 67
in a direction generally radially of the cam 76. The lever 95 is
yieldably urged to a retracted position to move the switch 67 to an
inoperative position shown in phantom in FIG. 4 in which its
actuator 67a is out of the path of travel of the cam, and an
electroresponsive operator has its solenoid 97 mounted on the
housing wall 75 and its plunger 97a operatively connected to the
lever 95 to move the switch 67 to an operative position shown in
solid lines in FIG. 4 with its actuator 67a in the path of movement
of the cam when the solenoid 97 is energized. The lever 67 can
conveniently be urged to its inoperative position by a spring (not
shown) located in the solenoid 97 and a stop 98 conveniently
located on the plunger 97a, is provided to limit movement of the
lever 95 to its operative position. As shown in FIG. 8, the
solenoid 97 is connected electrically in parallel with the timer
motor 72 as by conductors 99, 100 so that the solenoid is energized
whenever the door operating mechanism 81 is closed and deenergized
when the door operating switch mechanism is opened. Thus, if the
cam 76 has moved to a position such that the cam portion can
actuate switch 67 to close the door, then the switch 67 will be
automatically moved to an inoperative position to stop the drive
motor 31 whenever the door operating switches 81a, 81b are
opened.
It is frequently desirable to provide some auxiliary equipment such
as lights and warning devices which may be operated at different
times during the door opening and closing cycle. In the embodiment
illustrated, a lamp 101 is provided for illuminating the area
serviced by the door and is connected through conductor 102 to one
of the power supply conductors 61 and through conductor 104,
normally open lamp switch 103 and conductors 105 and 64 to the
other power supply conductor 62 so that the lamp is energized when
the lamp switch 103 is closed. The lamp switch 103 can be
conveniently operated by the timer controlled cam 76 and, as shown,
is mounted on the housing wall 75 at a location angularly
intermediate switches 63 and 67 so as to be actuated by the cam
portion 76a after the cam portion operates the switch 63 and while
the door is in its open position.
OPERATION
From the foregoing it is thought that the construction and
operation of the door operating mechanism will be readily
understood. Assuming that the door is in its fully closed position
and that the drive motor is arranged so that, when energized in its
reverse direction in response to closing of the switch 63, it will
move the door to a selected open position in a predetermined time
interval, and further that the timer controlled cam is in the
position shown in FIG. 4. When either of the door operating
switches 81a or 81b is closed, they complete a circuit to the timer
motor 72 to energize the same and start rotation of the cam 76.
After a short timed interval, for example 3 or 4 seconds, the cam
portion 76a engages switch actuator 63a to close switch 63 and
energize the drive motor 31 in its reverse direction as shown in
FIG. 5. The cam portion 76a also operates to close the holding
switch 91 to maintain the timer motor 72 energized. The door
operating switches 81a or 81b can then be opened and the timer
motor will continue to rotate the cam through approximately
one-half revolution in a time interval for example 14 seconds,
sufficient to allow the drive motor 31 to open the door to a
selected open position. At the end of the first half revolution of
the cam 76, the cam portion 76a moves out of engagement with the
actuator 63 to allow the reverse switch 63 to open and stop the
drive motor and, shortly thereafter, the cam portion 76a allows the
hold switch 91 to open and stop the timer motor in the position
shown in FIG. 6. The door will then remain in its open position
until one of the door operating switches 81a or 81b is again
actuated to a closed position. At that time, the timer motor is
again energized and the solenoid 97 is also energized to move the
forward switch 67 to its operative position as shown in FIG. 7.
Thus, as the cam rotates it actuates the switch 67 to its closed
position to energize the drive motor in a reverse direction to
close the door. The timer motor 72 will remain energized so long as
one of the door operating switches 81a, 81b is actuated and, if one
of the door operating switches is held in its actuated position
until the door is closed, the cam portion 76a will move past the
actuator 67a as shown in FIG. 7, and allow the drive motor to stop
when the door reaches its closed position. However, if the person
actuating the door operator switch notes any obstruction in the
path of the door, he can merely open the door actuator switch. This
will deenergize the timer motor 72 and will also deenergize the
solenoid 97 so as to move the forward switch to its inoperative
position to deenergize the drive motor 31 and prevent further
closing of the door. When the obstruction is removed, the door
actuating switch can be actuated to again energize the timer motor
for the remainder of that half cycle. Simultaneously, solenoid 97
will move the forward switch 67 back to its operative position so
that the cam portion 76a again actuates switch 67 to energize the
drive motor in its reverse direction to complete closing of the
door. Thus, the door can be stopped in any intermediate closed
position, without effecting the timing of the operations. A stop
108 is preferably provided along the trackway to limit opening
movement of the door to the desired level. Preferably, the stop 108
is positioned so as to engage the trolley 24 when the door
operating mechanism has moved the door to its selected opened
position and then stopped. If the movement of the door during the
time interval controlled by the cam 76 exceeds that required to
move the door to a position in which the trolley engages the stop
108, then the clutch mechanism previously described can slip
sufficient to allow limited over travel of the drive motor.
Conversely, if the door reaches its fully closed position or
strikes an obstruction without deactuation of the door operating
switches 81a and 81b, the aforedescribed clutch mechanism can again
slip to prevent damage to the door.
Although a specific embodiment of the invention has been herein
illustrated and described, it will be understood that changes and
variations may be made in the construction without departing from
the spirit and scope of the invention as expressed in the appended
claims.
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