Patent ID: 6179036
Filing Date: 2001-01-30
Classification: E05F,E05Y,H02K

Abstract:
An automatic overhead door opening system for a transport container having an open end selectively closed by a door constructed of folded panels and guided between opposed guide rails for displacement from a closed position to obstruct said open end, and an open position when said door is positioned adjacent a top wall of a container; a motorized drive for driving an endless chain secured between a drive sprocket and an idler sprocket, an elongated central guide track associated with said chain, a trolley secured to said chain and guidingly and displaceably secured to said track, said track being securable adjacent a top wall of a container and substantially central therewith, a connecting arm interconnecting a top central connection of a door of a container with said trolley for displacing said door in a guided manner between said guide rails, said motorized drive being mounted in a restrained size housing with said housing dimensioned to occupy a restrained space adjacent a top wall of a container, a chain drive sprocket mounted adjacent a top wall of said housing, said endless chain being in engagement with said chain drive sprocket, a driven sprocket secured to a common driven shaft with said chain drive sprocket, and a pair of d.c. motors of reduced size mounted in said restrained size housing, said motors each having a drive gear drivingly coupled to a common driven gear of a gear drive including a worm gear in meshing engagement with said driven sprocket, said gear drive arresting a door of a container in a locked state when said motors are de-activated, and an unobstructed removable bottom wall plate secured to said housing for access to the interior of said housing from below said housing.