Safety break for an overhead door

US6655088B1 · kind B1 · utility

Assignee

• Hörmann KG Brockhagen · DE

Inventor

• Thomas Hormann · Bornsteiner Straße, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Feb 23, 2001
• Grant date: Dec 2, 2003
• Expiry date: Feb 23, 2021

Classification

• Technology area (CPC E): Fixed Constructions
• CPC primary: E05Y2900/106
• WIPO field: Civil engineering
• WIPO sector: Other fields

Abstract

An arrangement for monitoring a condition of a counterbalance torsion spring in an overhead door or gate and preventing the door or gate from accidentally slamming shut or dropping too rapidly when the spring fails. The arrangement includes a drum mounted on a shaft which transmits the torque of the spring to the drum. During normal operation a sensor and release assembly maintains a catcher in a inactive position and when the spring fails, the sensor and release assembly allows the catcher to move to an active position and engage a grabber disposed on an inside surface of the drum to block rotation of the drum and therefore movement of the door or gate.