Barrier movement assist system and method of use

A vehicle barrier system comprising:

• a barrier;
• a frame, wherein the barrier is configured to open and close within the frame;
• a drive system operatively coupled to the frame and the barrier and configured to open and close the barrier;
• and
• one or more barrier assist systems operatively coupled to the barrier and the frame, and configured to aid the drive system in opening or closing of the barrier within the frame;
• wherein a barrier assist system of the one or more barrier assist systems comprise:
• one or more support members operatively coupled to the barrier;
• at least two assist devices operatively coupled to the one or more support members and the frame;
• and
• wherein each of the at least two assist devices comprise:
• a rotational member, wherein the rotational member comprises a spring-loaded pully;
• a flexible member operatively coupled to the rotational member and operatively coupled to the one or more support members;
• and
• wherein when the barrier is opening, the spring-loaded pully provides a counter force while the spring-loaded pully is loaded at least in part by the weight of the barrier reducing the opening speed of the barrier, and wherein when the barrier is closing, the spring-loaded pully provides an additional force to the barrier to aid the drive system during closing of the barrier;
• and
• wherein the flexible member is configured to be unwound from the rotational member when the barrier is opened, and wherein the flexible member is configured to be wound around the rotational member when the barrier is closed.

A method of opening and closing a barrier using at least two assist devices comprising:

• a rotational member, wherein the rotational member comprises a spring-loaded pully;
• and
• a flexible member operatively coupled to the rotational member and operatively coupled to the one or more support members;
• the method comprising:
• opening the barrier using a drive system operatively coupled to a frame and the barrier, wherein each of the at least two assist devices reduce an opening speed, reduce an opening acceleration, or increase an opening resistance of the barrier, wherein when the barrier is opening, the spring-loaded pully provides a counter force while the spring-loaded pully is loaded at least in part by the weight of the barrier reducing the opening speed of the barrier, and wherein the flexible member is configured to unwound from the rotational member when the barrier is opened;
• and
• closing the barrier using the drive system, wherein each of the at least two assist devices reduce a closing force at which the drive system is configured to close the barrier, wherein when the barrier is closing, the spring-loaded pully provides an additional force to the barrier to aid the drive system during closing of the barrier, and wherein the flexible member is configured to be wound around the rotational member when the barrier is closed.