Barrier operator mechanical transmission assembly

A rail assembly for a barrier operator system, the rail assembly adapted to receive a drive assembly for moving a door between open and closed positions, the rail assembly comprising:

• a first rail section and a second rail section coupled to the first rail section by a C-channel connector section, the first and second rail sections adapted to receive the drive assembly, wherein the C-channel connector section surrounds at least a part of the first and second rail sections;
• the first rail section, the second rail section and the C-channel connector section each having a top wall, a bottom wall and a pair of sidewalls forming a channel;
• and
• a locking mechanism extending from the top wall of the C-channel connector section toward the C-channel connector section channel for engaging corresponding openings in the first and second rail sections to secure the first and second rail sections in a locked position, wherein the locking mechanism is an integral tab mechanism comprising a material that is the same material as the C-channel connector section and shaped so as to have a first planar section comprising a U-shaped inclined planar surface that is inclined with respect to a planar inside surface of the top wall and that extends into the channel of the C-channel connector section to thereby engage with one of the respective openings in the first and second rail sections when the locking mechanism is in the locked position to prevent separation thereof by a force applied to move the first and second rail sections, and an inner recessed floor comprising a recessed floor bounded on three sides by the U-shaped inclined planar surface and bounded on one side by a distal edge of the first planar section and recessed inwardly toward the channel of the C-channel connector section and away from the planar inside surface of the top wall, wherein the distal edge of the first planar section is cantilevered relative to the top wall.

A rail assembly for a barrier operator system comprising:

• a C-channel connector section;
• a first rail section and a second rail section slidably disposed within the C-channel connector section, the first rail section, the second rail section and the C-channel connector section receiving a screw-drive drive assembly for moving a door between open and closed positions;
• a top wall, a bottom wall having a slot, and a pair of sidewalls, the top wall, bottom wall and sidewalls forming a channel for securing the first and second rail sections to the C-channel connector section;
• and
• a locking mechanism to prevent separation of the first and second rail sections, the locking mechanism including integral first and second tab members both comprising a material that is the same material as the C-channel connector section and wherein the first and second tab members are each located within respective openings formed in the first and second rail sections and shaped so as to have a first planar section comprising a U-shaped inclined planar surface that is inclined with respect to a planar inside surface of the top wall and that extends into the channel to thereby engage with one of the respective openings in the first and second rail sections when a locking mechanism is in the locked position to prevent separation thereof by a force applied to move the first and second rail sections, and an inner recessed floor comprising a recessed floor bounded on three sides by the U-shaped inclined planar surface and bounded on one side by a distal edge of the first planar section and recessed inwardly toward the channel and away from the planar inside surface of the top wall, wherein the distal edge of the first planar section is cantilevered relative to the top wall.