Patent ID: 6553716
Filing Date: 2003-04-29
Classification: E05D,E05Y

Abstract:
A safety catch assembly for selectively inhibiting downward movement of a panel that travels vertically in a track having a side rail, during catastrophic failure of a panel lift mechanism; said safety catch assembly comprising:(a) first and second brake members selectively actuatable to move from free positions to braking positions; (i) said first brake member being rotatably mounted on a first end of a first rotatably mounted axle, for rotational movement between said free and braking positions; (ii) said second brake member being rotatably mounted on a first end of a second rotatably mounted axle, for rotational movement between said free and braking positions; (iii) each one of said first and second opposed, brake members being moved out of braking engagement with the side rail, when installed and when said brake members are in said free positions; and (iv) each one of said first and second opposed, brake members being moved into braking engagement with the side rail, when installed and when said brake members are in said braking positions, (A) said first brake member being oriented to apply a first braking pressure to a first side portion of the side rail, when in said braking position; and, (B) said second brake member being oriented to apply a second braking pressure to a second side portion of the side rail, when in said braking position, said second braking pressure being applied in a direction generally opposite to said first braking pressure; (b) an actuator assembly including a stay mechanism and a release mechanism; (i) the stay mechanism being constructed and arranged to maintain said first and second brake members in said free positions, when installed, until a selected, catastrophic, failure of the lift mechanism; and (ii) the release mechanism being constructed and arranged to release said first and second brake members for movement into said braking positions, when installed, upon a selected, catastrophic, failure of the lift mechanism; and, (c) a biasing mechanism constructed and arranged to move the first and second brake members into said braking positions, when installed and when said release mechanism releases said brake members for movement, said biasing mechanism comprising: (i) a first torsion spring mounted on, and circumscribing, said first rotatably mounted axle; and (ii) a second torsion spring mounted on, and circumscribing, said second rotatably mounted axle.