Patent · US Expired

Obstacle detector-responsive movable barrier operator apparatus and method

US6989767B2 · kind B2 · utility

17Cited by
5References
59Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMay 29, 2003
Grant dateJan 24, 2006
Priority date
Expiry dateDec 23, 2023

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC E)Fixed Constructions
  • CPC primaryE06B2009/6845
  • WIPO fieldCivil engineering
  • WIPO sectorOther fields

Abstract

A movable barrier operator (10) can have at least two automatic modes of operation. These modes of operation can differ from one another at least with respect to their respective utilized maximum-applied-force thresholds, such that one of the modes of operation correlates to a reduced maximum-applied-force threshold. Selection between these available maximum-applied-force thresholds can be based, at least in part, upon whether an obstacle detector is operably coupled to the movable barrier operator. In one embodiment, a primary controller (30) and a secondary controller (31) can be utilized to effect the controlled selection and usage of the available maximum-applied-force thresholds. In another embodiment, maximum permitted speed of travel for the movable barrier can also be determined, at least in part, as a function of whether an obstacle detector is available to the movable barrier operator.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.