A DRIVE SYSTEM FOR MOTOR OPERATED GARAGE DOORS

Abstract: The present invention provides a drive system (1) for the operation of a variety of motor operated garage doors (2) and the like. The drive system (1) comprises a motor (5) which drives a rotatable worm drive shaft (9) which mates with a lifting arm (10) connected to the door (2). The drive system (1) is able to be used for all types of garage doors (2) and is easy to install to existing doors as well as providing security for the door (2).

Description: A DRIVE SYSTEM FOR MOTOR OPERATED GARAGE DOORS The present invention relates to motor operated doors, and in particular, to a drive system for the doors which is easy to install. BACKGROUND ART There are many known systems of automatically opened and closed motor driven garage doors and the like. Most systems employ a remote electronic control unit which controls an electric motor to manipulate the door. In the case of roller doors, the electric motor rotates the spool on which the roller door is wound. The rotation of the spool thereby winds or unwinds the door. The drive system is therefore only suitable for use with roller doors. Examples of drive systems include, exposed chain operation and internal and external ring gear arrangements. In the case of overhead garage doors, the usual method of drive system is a sprocket and chain drive which moves an attachment to the door along a guidance rail. The abovementioned systems are able to be installed on existing garage doors, however there is often the problem with availability of space for the requirements of installation and also the fact that the garage door in some instances has to be removed and reinstalled during the installation procedure. Each particular type of garage door has to have a particular type of drive system. Due to design limitations and the fact that the remote control operators are produced for specific types of garage doors the above mentioned units are not interchangeable. Basically the operating principles are the same requiring in all instances removal of the brackets to a spring tensioned door and in many cases complete reinstallation to the door. Naturally with doors ranging up to 300T high and 500mm wide this creates a great deal of risk, time and effort plus difficulty if service is ever required. Obviously with this degree of risk work is carried out by a specialist who is usually trained for one particular type of unit. With all of the units expressed above weight bars are added to the door which assists their operation. However when converted to manual operation the door becomes difficult to operate simply due to the added weight applied. As part of their design these units all incorporate a disengagement lever. Some more difficult than others, they are all located at the top of the door. In the event of an emergency access to the release mechanism could be quite difficult and with the knowledge of a number of applications a step ladder would be required to release the door into manual operation. Power to the door is gained from the control unit which is normally situated to one side of the door and should be responsibly located in a position out of reach of children. OBJECT OF THE INVENTION It is an object of thepresent invention to provide a universal type drive system for motor driven garage doors, which substantially overcomes or ameliorates the abovementioned disadvantages. DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION According to one aspect of the present invention there is disclosed a drive system for a motor operated garage door, said drive system comprising an electric motor being operated by a control unit, a worm drive shaft rotatable by said motor, a garage door having an arm assembly mateable with said worm drive, said arm assembly being fixed to said garage door, wherein said worm drive is rotated by said electric motor thereby at least partially opening or closing the garage door. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS One embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings in which: Fig. 1 is a partial perspective view of a roller garage door with a drive system of the preferred embodiment, Fig. 2 is a front elevation view of the system of Fig. 1, Fig. 3 is a cut away side view of a motor and worm shaft of the drive system of Fig. 1, Fig. 4 is a side view of a drive system of a second embodiment which is used with an overhead type garage door, Fig. 5 is a schematic side view of the drive system of Fig. 3 being used with a sectional overhead door, Fig. 6 is a schematic side view of the drive system of Fig. 3 used with a one piece overhead door, Fig. 7 is a side view of the drive system of Fig. 3 being used with a jamb type one piece overhead door, Fig. 8 is a rear elevational view of a drive system of a third embodiment being used with a sliding garage door, and Fig. 9 is a rear elevational view of a drive system of a fourth embodiment being used with a sliding gate. BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION The apparatus 1 of a preferred embodiment as illustrated in Figs. 1 or 2 comprises a roller door in a garage 3. The door 2 is wound on a spool 4. A control unit 5 is positioned on the floor 6 inside the garage 3. The control unit 3 comprises an electric motor 7 which drives a worm shaft 9 by a belt drive 8. An alternate method of driving the shaft 9 is using gearing for heavy duty units. The drive 9 is located on the inside of the garage 3 being vertical and adjacent the roller door 2. Attached to the roller door 2 is a lifting arm 10 which mates with the worm drive shaft 9. As the worm drive shaft 9 rotates the lifting arm 10 and therefore the roller door 2 travels up or down depending on the direction of rotation of the worm shaft drive drive shaft 9. Illustrated in Figs. 3 to 6, apparatus 11 of a second embodiment comprises an overhead door 12 either of the sectional overhead type door 12a, a track-type one piece overhead door 12b and a jamb type one piece overhead door 12c. The doors 12 are situated inside a garage 13. A control unit 15 is located on the ceiling of the garage 13 and is of the same type of control unit 5. A worm shaft 19 is driven by the control unit 15 in the same manner as inthe abovementioned embodiment. A lifting arm assembly 20 is attached to the door 12 and mates with the worm drive shaft 19. As the drive shaft 19 is rotated the position of the lifting arm 20 is varied thus opening or closing the overhead door 12. Limit switches (not illustrated) control the open and closed positions of door 2. Another embodiment is illustrated in Fig. 7 which is the apparatus 21 for the sliding garage door 22. Once again a control unit 25 is positioned with a worm drive shaft 29 being rotatable therefrom. A connecting arm 30 is attached to the door 22 and is matable with the shaft 29. The door is operated in the same manner as the other embodiments. Another embodiment is illustrated in Fig. 8 and shows a gate 32 being operated by the apparatus 31 in a manner similar to the other embodiments. Only some embodiments of the present invention have been described, and modifications obvious to those skilled in the art can be made thereto without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, the control unit and drive shaft can be used to operate a varying number of doors such as grilles, sliding gates, swing gates, concertina doors and the like. One advantage of the present invention is that the type of drive shaft is applicable to all varieties of doors. Other forms of the drive shaft include chain drive and cabel drive. INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The system of the preferred embodiments are applicable to be used with the remote control opening of roller doors, tilt-up doors, panel lift doors, grilles and sliding doors and gates, and are applicable to all types. The nature of the system enables the system to be easily changed to manual operation with a specially designed releases.

Claims: A DRIVE SYSTEM FOR MOTOR OPERATED GARAGE DOORS CLAIMS 1. A drive system for a motor operated garage door or gate, said drive system comprising an electric motor being operated by a control unit, a worm drive shaft rotatable by said motor, a garage door having an arm assembly mateable with said word drive, said arm assembly being fixed to said garage door, wherein said worm drive is rotated by said electric motor thereby at least partially opening or closing said garage door. 2. A drive system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said garage door is a roller door, and said worm drive raises and lowers said roller door or gate by raising and lowering said arm assembly which is attached to said door, wherein said worm drive is substantially vertical. 3. A drive system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said garage door is an overhead door, either a sectional overhead type, a track-type one piece overhead door or a jamb type one piece overhead door and said control unit being locatable adjacent the ceiling of said garage, and said worm drive is substantially horizontal and perpendicular to said garage door and drives said arm assembly in a horizontal dirction, wherein arm assembly moves said garage door in required direction. 4. A drive system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said garage door is a sliding type and said worm drive is located horizontally adjacent and parallel to said garage door, wherein said worm drive moves said door in a sliding movement. 5. A drive system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein a plurality of limit switches are used to limit movement of the motor operated doors. 6. A drive system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the motor is controlled via a remote control unit. 7. A drive system as claimed in claim 6 wherein a manual overide is able to be used to operate the garage doors or gate if required.

Inventors: GRIFFITHS NEIL GEOFFREY, KELLNER JOSEPH ALBERT, GRIFFITHS, NEIL, GEOFFREY, KELLNER, JOSEPH, ALBERT
Applicants: INSIGHT ONE PTY LTD, INSIGHT ONE PTY LIMITED
Application year: 1988
Main classification: E05F15
IPC codes: E05F15