US 4,254,582 A · Electrically actuated overhead garage door opener assembly

Abstract

A conventional garage door opener assembly has integrated therewith an electrically actuated solenoid assembly at each side of the garage door actionable between the garage door frame and the door. In the case of a solidly assembled door pivotal between closed and opened position, the solenoid assemblies are mounted near the lower extremities of the door so as not to interfere with door movement, while still being capable of locking the door in closed position. The solenoid assemblies are interiorly secured at the door frame sides with the housings thereof permanently projecting across the clearance spaces between the door frame and door and interiorly overlapping the door with the solenoid plungers projectable therefrom in this overlapping positioning into aligned latch members secured interiorly of the door. The electrical power supplies for the solenoid assemblies are preferably directly connected into the controlling power supply circuits of the conventional garage door opener so that actuation of the opener causes coordinated simultaneous actuation of the solenoid assemblies to properly release the door for opening movement and lock the door in closed position. The individual solenoid assemblies may include unique guide rod actuation and guiding of the solenoid plungers, and unique plunger movement control and limitation by a simplified stop plate.

Claims22

Dependent claims

In an electrically actuated overhead garage door opener assembly of the type selectively actionable for moving a garage door between a generally vertical closed position received in a door frame and a generally vertically and rearwardly raised open position providing an access opening through said door frame, there being clearance openings between sides of said door and sides of said door frame when said door is in said closed position;

the improvements comprising:
an electrically actuated solenoid secured interiorly on a side of said door frame and having housing means projecting transversely from said door frame side across said clearance opening and transversely interiorly overlapping and adjacent of said door sides when said door is in said closed position, said solenoid housing means being positioned on said door frame side free of interference with said door during said door movement between said open and closed positions, a solenoid plunger normally resiliently urged to extended position projecting transversely from said solenoid housing means when said solenoid is not electrically actuated and movable to a withdrawn position relative to said housing means when said solenoid is electrically actuated;
a latch member interiorly secured to said door transversely aligned and transversely receiving said solenoid plunger therein when said door is in said closed position and said solenoid plunger is in said extended position preventing movement of said door from said closed position, electrical actuation of said solenoid moving said solenoid plunger to withdrawn position free of latch member reception permitting door movement from and into said door closed position;
electric power supply means operably connected to said solenoid for electrically actuating said solenoid during door movement from and into said door closed position;
whereby, said solenoid plunger locks said door in door closed position when said solenoid is not electrically actuated while said solenoid case guards said clearance opening between sides of said door and frame and positions said solenoid plunger transversely displaced from said clearance opening less subject to unauthorized manipulation.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Electrically actuated overhead garage door opener assembly

Life of this patent

Electrically actuated overhead garage door opener assembly

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims22