Movable or removable closures – Optionally moved – manually – or by motor
Reexamination Certificate
2001-10-09
2003-05-06
Redman, Jerry (Department: 3634)
Movable or removable closures
Optionally moved, manually, or by motor
C049S199000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06557301
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention concerns a locking mechanism for a door driven by a motorized transmission, especially an overhead door, a tilting, swinging, or sectional door for instance, whereby the locking mechanism operates in conjunction with a coupling mechanism that couples the door's panel to a carrier, the transmission moves the carrier back and forth, preventing the closed door from opening when not subjected to force by the carrier, the locking mechanism includes a lever and a connector, the lever is mounted directly or indirectly on the carrier and pivots around a first axis in two opposite directions, the lever is provided with an engagement mechanism that engages a stationary counterbearing, the counterbearing operates in conjunction with a track that guides the carrier, locking the door, the engagement mechanism engages the counterbearing as the lever pivots in one direction and disengages it as the lever pivots in the opposite direction, the connector is rigid and is preferably in the form of a connecting rod, the connecting rod has an attachment mechanism at one end that attaches it to the door panel and is pivoted at the other end to the lever around another axis that is some distance from the first axis, whereby the lever accordingly pivots around the firstaxis in the first direction when the connector is pushed while in alignment with the door and in the opposite direction when the connector is pulled while in alignment with the door. The present invention also concerns a door-drive mechanism provided with such a locking mechanism. A locking mechanism and door-drive mechanism of this genus is known from European Patent 0 743 416 A1, which will be discussed in detail hereinafter.
Motorized drive mechanisms that open and close overhead doors have long been known.
A mechanism of this genus is known from DE 2 741 539 A1 for example. They usually include a carrier, preferably a carriage, that can be moved along the track positioned horizontal above the route traveled by the door. The carrier is usually attached to the door by connecting rods. Detaching the carrier from the door or from a traction mechanism between the carrier and the drive mechanism in the event of an emergency, when the mechanism malfunctions, has also long been known.
Problems can be encountered with such drive mechanisms. The closed door can be forced up from outside by muscle power, the carrier moving in the door-opening direction without or even against the force exerted by the transmission.
Additionally preventing the carriage and/or the closed door from unauthorized opening has accordingly often been proposed. Examples of such locking mechanisms are known from German Patent 1 961 916, U.S. Pat. No. 3,704,548, German 8 802 127 U1, French A 2 349 014, U.S. Pat No. 3,909,980, and the aforesaid European Patent 0 743 416 A1.
In German Patent 1 961 916, a carrier in the form of a carriage travels back and forth along a track between two stops. The closure stop is provided with a stationary pawl. The carriage is secured in its locking position when it engages the pawl. The engaged pawl is subject to tension. To disengage the carriage, it is attached by way of a two-armed lever to a traction mechanism between it and the motorized transmission. The lever's arms act as stops, limiting its pivoting motion. The free end of one arm engages below the pawl when the lever is in its locking position. When the traction mechanism is actuated, the lever pivots before the carrier begins moving. The pawl is accordingly lifted and disengaged, releasing the carrier. This drive mechanism is indeed provided with a coupling mechanism that couples a carrier in the form of a carriage to the door, but the coupling mechanism pivots around the same axis as the lever, although independently thereof.
In the mechanism disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,704,548, it is the upper end of the door and not the carrier in the form of a carriage that is locked. Releasing the tensioned locking device again in order to open the door requires a highly complicated system of levers and slides.
German 8 802 127 U1 discloses a locking mechanism wherein a connecting rod attached to the door lifts a carrier when force is applied to the door from outside and accordingly engages the carrier with a cogged rack or with a chain above it. This locking mechanism is not completely reliable. The carrier can move at a right angle to its intended direction, resulting in unpleasant rattling and imprecise movement. The carrier can even tilt out of alignment and impinge on the rack or chain in ordinary operation.
French A 2 349 014 discloses a locking mechanism wherein the connecting rod that comprises the coupling mechanism travels back and forth in a slot in the carrier. A pawl on the connecting rod pivots around a pin accommodated in the slot and engages a counterbearing on the track. As the carrier leaves its locking position, the connecting rod is pulled along the slot, disengaging the pawl by way of a sloping plane. The mechanism known from U.S. Pat. No. 3,909,980 also employs means of displacement comprising a pawl in conjunction with a slot and a sloping plane to lever the pawl out of its engagement against a counterbearing. Generally, devices of this genus, which exploit displacement of a rod in relation to a carrier, are problematic with respect to wear and are complicated to manufacture and to install and adjust on site.
The locking mechanism of the aforesaid genus known from European Patent 0 743 416 A1 on the other hand has proven very reliable and easy to manufacture and install. The connecting rod employed therein between the carrier and the door is not directly attached to the carrier but to a lever that pivots around an axis on the carrier. A coupling mechanism constituting a toggle composed of the rigid connector, which is in the form of a connecting rod, and the lever, couples the carrier to the door. The lever has only one arm and is provided with a hooked pawl in the vicinity of another pivoting axis and engaging a notch in the vicinity of the track. This mechanism has few moving parts, and they only pivot among themselves and are not relatively displaced. The mechanism is accordingly very simple and operates reliably in that, with the exception of the pawl, none of the components slide along any of the others, which would subject them to wear. The mechanism is also very easy to install and adjust.
Even this known mechanism, however, needs improvement with respect to its adaptability to various installation situations. The toggle for instance allows the connecting rod to rotate only to a limited extent without detriment to the function of the pawling system. This is of disadvantage in particular when the track is to be mounted high above the doorway. The site might also provide insufficient vertical space, in the opening and closing direction, that is, in which event a shorter connecting rod would be desirable. The limits dictated by the operation of the toggle will still be too narrow in some situations.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The object of the present invention is an improved locking mechanism and associated drive mechanism of the genus disclosed in European Patent 0 743 416 A1 that will operate just as reliably and that can be manufactured, installed, and adjusted just as easily while adapting readily to a wider range of situations on site.
This object is attained in accordance with the present invention in a locking mechanism of the aforesaid genus in that the lever comprises two arms, the connector being attached to the arm, and in that the mechanism that engages the counterbearing while or after the lever and hence the second arm pivots in the first direction, pushing the connector attached to the door, and that disengages the counterbearing while or after the lever and hence the second arm pivots in the opposite direction, pulling the connector attached to the door, is mounted on the second lever arm.
These amazingly simple measures allow the connector or connecting rod to be farther uncoupled from t
Hörmann Thomas J.
Sanke Michael
Schütz Viktor
Fogiel Max
Hörmann KG Antriebstechnik
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