Abstract:
A tool for use in installation, adjustment and removal of an energy storage device for a counterbalance system. The tool includes a member rotatable to manipulate a spring carriage. One embodiment includes a threaded shaft, an engagement member which engages the slidable carriage, a locking nut disposed on the threaded shaft, and a bearing member disposed to the threaded shaft between the locking nut and the engagement member. A position of the slidable carriage between compressed and extended positions relative the track housing is adjustable by rotation of the threaded shaft. Another embodiment includes a frame, a cable spool rotatably attached to the frame, and having a gear attached in a co-axial arrangement to the cable spool, and a worm gear attached to the frame. The spool gear is rotatable by the worm gear to apply axial force to the slidable carriage by winding the counterbalance cable.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This non-provisional application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/357,754, entitled “Compression System and Method for Garage Door Counterbalance,” filed Jun. 23, 2010, which is hereby incorporated in its entirety, to the extent that it is not conflicting with the present application. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Counterbalance systems are known in various mechanical assemblies. For example, conventional garage doors include a mechanical torsion spring to act as a counterbalance to reduce the force required to open a garage door. An exemplary torsion spring system includes a torsion spring located on a shaft which is typically located above the door opening. One end of the torsion spring is connected to the shaft. The opposite end of the spring is anchored to the door opening. The torsion spring is preloaded during the installation process. This preloading provides the necessary torque to counterbalance, that is to say, offset the torque the garage door imposes on the shaft by its connection to the drums located on the shaft. These drums are commonly referred to as door drums. The bottom corners of a garage door are connected to the door drums via cables. When the door is opened, the shaft rotates causing the cables to assist the lifting operation and the torsion spring releases its stored energy. When the door is being closed, the cable winds off the drum and the torsion spring assists in offsetting the weight of the door as it is reloaded with energy for the next lifting operation. 
     Improved counterbalance designs have been developed to replace the mechanical torsion spring. One improved system and method uses a gas spring and a cable drum system. Exemplary improved systems and methods are described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,983,785 issued Jan. 10, 2006 and U.S. Pat. No. 7,537,042 issued May 26, 2009, each of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety, to the extent that either does not conflict with the present application. These improved methods replace the torsion spring with a gas spring and cable drum system. However, all other door components, shaft, door drums located on the shaft, and cables connecting the lower corners of the door to the drums remain required. The gas spring, like the torsion spring, is fixed at one end. However, the opposite end is slideable along a track, rather than able to rotate around the shaft. The slideable end, herein referred to as the slideable carriage, has a pulley to allow a cable to pass around. 
     When the door is in the closed position a cable wraps fully around a drum, referred to as a drive drum, located on the same shaft to which the door is connected. The spring is fully compressed, when the door is closed, storing the required energy to counterbalance the door. The cable passes from the drive drum around the pulley, attached to the slideable carriage of the spring, and is anchored to a fixed position. This configuration is a 2 to 1 mechanical advantage. For every inch of stroke the gas spring provides 2 inches of cable pull off the drive drum attached to the shaft above the door. Alternatively, for every pound of force the gas spring is applying to the slideable carriage, a half pound of force is applied to the drive drum via the tension in the cable. It is the force in the cable applied to the drive drum that provides the counter torque to offset or balance the torque applied to the shaft by the door weight. When the door is lifted, the compressed gas spring extends by moving the slideable carriage. As the slideable carriage moves, the cable pulls the drive drum applying the counter torque to the shaft. When the door is lowered to the closed position, the spring is again compressed storing the required energy to offset the door weight during the closing operation while reloading the gas spring for the next cycle. 
     The above-described improvement was advantageous and functional, but other improvements followed. Later developments led to an improved design including a drive drum that could provide the precise torque when coupled to the appropriate gas spring. A system that standardized the components was also developed. This system approximately fixed the number of rotations the shaft made regardless of the door height. By doing so, this improvement reduced the number of different designs of the same component within a garage opener sub-assembly or assembly. 
     During an installation process of an energy storage device, such as for example, one or more mechanical springs or one or more gas springs, the door will be in the closed position yet the spring will be fully extended. Conversely, to remove or replace the energy storage device, the door will typically be in the closed position, and the one or more springs will be compressed putting the compression cable in tension. Without a compression tool, disconnecting the cable from the slideable carriage can be time-consuming, laborious, and hazardous, even to a well-trained technician. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention describes a tool for use in installation, adjustment and removal of an energy storage device for a counterbalance system. The tool includes a member rotatable to manipulate a spring carriage. The tool may be arranged to operate as a compression tool or as a tool to provide tension, depending on the application environment. 
     One embodiment of the present invention includes a threaded shaft, an engagement member which engages the slidable carriage, a locking nut disposed on the threaded shaft, and a bearing member disposed to the threaded shaft between the locking nut and the engagement member. A position of the slidable carriage between compressed and extended positions relative to the track housing is adjustable by rotation of the threaded shaft. 
     Another embodiment of the present invention includes a frame, a cable spool rotatably attached to the frame, and having a gear attached in a co-axial arrangement to the cable spool, and a worm gear attached to the frame. The spool gear is rotatable by the worm gear to apply axial force to the slidable carriage by winding the counterbalance cable. In other words, the cable spool contains the forces to the energy storage device. The cable which provides the counter torque to the door main shaft is either attachable, or can be wrapped around the cable spool to provide enough friction to prevent slipping. The cable spool is rotated either directly or through a series of gears by a drive. As the cable is wrapped around the spool, a spring assembly is pulled by the cable thereby compressing the gas springs. The second embodiment could be mounted to some external component. This arrangement may require any of those components to have the structural integrity to carry such forces. 
     The inventive tool may allow the position of the energy storage device to be changed for either installation, adjustment or removal by a power tool. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description made with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
         FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of a tool, showing a tool having a threaded shaft; 
         FIG. 2  is a front perspective view of the tool of  FIG. 1 , showing the tool engaged in a garage door counterbalance system in which a gas spring (not shown) is in an extended position; 
         FIG. 3  is a front perspective view of the tool of  FIG. 1 , showing the tool engaged in a garage door counterbalance system in which a gas spring (not shown) is in an extended position; 
         FIG. 4  is a front perspective view of another tool, showing a tool having a cable spool and worm gear; and 
         FIG. 5  is a front perspective view of a garage door counterbalance system, showing an exemplary mounting location for the tool of  FIG. 4 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The Detailed Description merely describes exemplary embodiments in accordance with the general inventive concepts and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way. Indeed, the invention as described by the claims is broader than and unlimited by the exemplary embodiments set forth herein, and the terms used herein have their full ordinary meaning. 
     Also, while the exemplary embodiments described in the specification and illustrated in the drawings relate to a garage door, it should be understood that many of the inventive features described herein may be applied to other sizes and types of structures requiring a counter balance, such as for example, larger doors, safes, gates, bridges, and other physical and mechanical barriers. 
     A method and apparatus for counterbalancing a garage door, the garage door described in the applications incorporated by reference, includes at least one energy storage device, such as for example, one or more mechanical springs or one or more gas springs, attached at one end to a slideable carriage and at the second end to a fixed assembly. The apparatus may include one or more of a counterbalance cable, at least one sheave, and a graduated cable drum. The graduated cable drum is located on a shaft connected to the garage door through additional cable and drums. The counterbalance cable, connectively attached at one end, is passed around a series of sheaves which are located on the gas spring end assemblies. The cable is terminated on the slideable end of the gas spring assembly. This configuration is a 5-1 mechanical advantage. In this configuration, every inch of spring stoke turns five inches of cable off of the graduated cable drum. The tension in the cable is ⅕ of the total gas spring force. When the door is in the closed position, the gas springs will be in a compressed position. When the door is opened, the springs will extend providing the necessary lift through the counterbalance cable. 
     An discussed, a tool of the present invention may be arranged to operate as a compression tool or as a tool to provide tension, depending on the application environment. An exemplary compression tool is beneficial in many circumstances, such as for example, during the installation and removal of an energy storage device, such as for example, one or more mechanical springs or one or more gas springs. When installing an exemplary gas spring, the door will be in the closed position and the spring will be in the fully extended position. After the spring is compressed and held in its compressed position using the compression tool, the counterbalance cable, after being wrapped around the series of sheaves, is anchored to the slideable carriage. The compression tool is then removed and the counterbalance cable is tensioned against the door weight. At this point, the door is ready for use. 
     For most gas spring removal situations, the door will be in the closed position, the spring will be in the compressed position and the counterbalance cable is under tension. Because the spring is compressed and the cable is tensioned, the compression tool is used to further compress the spring. The compression allows the tension to be released in the counterbalance cable. The cable anchor can be released on the slideable carriage because the counterbalance cable is already “slack” due to the additional compression of the springs. The compression tool is reversed to release the spring compression under control. 
     Referring now to the Figures, a compression tool  10  is illustrated in  FIG. 1 . The compression tool  10  includes a length of threaded rod  12 . The rod  12  is suitably modified to accommodate several components of the tool  10 . An engagement member  14  attaches to one end of the shaft and transfers the forces into the slideable carriage  40  (see  FIG. 2 ). As shown in  FIG. 1 , the front face of the illustrated engagement member  14  has a vertical slot  15  for engaging the slidable carriage. The shape, size, and pattern of the engaging surface of the front face may vary, such as for example, to accommodate different styles and manufacturers of slidable carriages. 
     The locking end allows the threaded rod  12  to rotate freely while load is being applied to the slideable carriage axially. A pin  16  in the engagement member  14  fits into a groove on the threaded rod  12 . The pin  16  prevents the end fitting component from dislodging from the threaded rod  12 . It should be understood that other hardware and fastening elements can be used other than a pin in the practice of the present invention. 
     The engagement member  14  may include structure to stabilize the tool  10  within the track housing. As seen in  FIG. 1 , a pair of arms  18 ,  20  extends from the engagement member  14  in opposing directions to provide support for the tool  10  within the garage door opener system. The support arms  18 ,  20  are also a user convenience preventing the locking end from falling through the counterbalance system. It should be understood that the present invention can be practiced with variations in the support arms, e.g., orientation, angle, position, shape, and number. 
     The axial forces applied by the threaded rod  12  are transferred into the locking end through a thrust bearing  22  and a backup bearing member  24 . The backup bearing member may be a collar fixed to the threaded shaft, or a unitary piece of the threaded shaft. As illustrated, the bearing member  24  is fixed to the threaded rod  12  and thereby rotates at the same speed and direction as the threaded rod  12 . Because the bearing member  24  rotates and the engagement member  14  does not, it would be most advantageous to separate the two components with a thrust bearing  22 , best seen in  FIG. 2 . This arrangement reduces the friction that would occur and, as a result, acts to reduce the torque required to turn the threaded rod  12 . 
     A locking nut  26  is designed to secure the threaded rod  12  in the counterbalance system track. As shown in  FIG. 2 , the locking nut  26  has been designed to mate into a track end bracket  42  at a location along the threaded rod  12  remote from the engagement member  14 . This fit prevents the nut  26  from turning while the threaded rod  12  is rotated. It would be advantageous to have the locking nut  26  made from a material that reduces friction and wear, such as for example, bronze. The strength of the material will also be an important consideration because the forces applied by it may be relatively high. 
     The distal end of the threaded rod  12  may have a mounting attachment  28 , such as for example, a hex head nut. The attachment  28  allows an installer to control rotation of the threaded rod  12  in clockwise or counterclockwise directions, such as for example, with a manual tool or a power tool, such as for example, a cordless drill, a common tool used by garage door installers. A hex shape can be easily rotated with a drill by using a conventional socket. However, nearly any fitting shape is possible as long as torque can be applied through it. The fitting permits one-handed operation and creates a safer installation procedure. 
     As discussed,  FIG. 2  shows the compression tool  10  engaged in a garage door counterbalance system in which a gas spring (not shown) is in an extended position.  FIG. 3  shows the compression tool  10  in the same garage door counterbalance system in which the gas spring (not shown) in an extended position. In the engaged position, the arms  18 ,  20  ride within internal tracks of the track housing. As discussed, the engagement member  14  attaches to the slideable carriage  40 . At a remote location along the threaded rod, the nut  26  engages the track end bracket  42 . Anchors  44 ,  46  are illustrated in  FIGS. 2 and 3 . The anchors  44 ,  46  secure the counterbalance cable  48  as required during various procedural steps. 
     Another embodiment of the present invention is shown in  FIG. 4 . A compression tool  100  includes a cable spool  102  and a worm gear  104 , each secured to a frame  101 .  FIG. 5  is a front perspective view of a garage door counterbalance system showing a possible mounting location for the compression tool of  FIG. 4 . The compression tool  100  functions similar to a capstan winch. It can lock onto the slideable carriage  40  using attachment holes  106 ,  108 . Alternatively, the tool  100  can attach to another location that provides sufficient anchor, such as for example, a location external from the illustrated system. 
     Several different iterations of this embodiment can be implemented. Similar to a traditional capstan winch, the tool  100  utilizes a “friction” spool  102 . The counterbalance cable  48  wraps at least one time around the friction spool. When the free end of the counterbalance cable is pulled taught, friction created by the wrap around the spool allows the cable to be continuously tensioned when the friction spool is rotated. This rotation of the spool will compress the exemplary gas spring because the counterbalance cable, under tension, will gradually become shorter. 
     The friction spool  102  includes a gear  110  which permits the spool to be rotated via a worm and/or reduction gear  104 . As illustrated, one end  112  of the worm gear  104  is rotatable. The one end  112  may be rotatable by a power source, such as a cordless drill. The opposing end of the worm gear may also be drivable. By using a cordless drill on one or either end of the worm gear  104 , an installer can enjoy one hand operation. Because the counterbalance cable will continuously be under tension, a locking mechanism  114  may be used. The locking mechanism  114  allows the cable  48  only to travel in one direction and locks the cable  48  if that direction is reversed. This locking feature provides an element of safety by permitting an installer to have both hands full while performing the spring compression operation. 
     The friction spool  102  can be configured to be a “take-up” spool by anchoring the end of the counterbalance cable to the spool. Friction will no longer be the means by which the cable is tensioned. A worm gear may be most advantageous because it can provide both a gearing means and a locking means. 
     An advantage to anchoring on the slideable carriage includes the ability to test the counterbalance without removing the compression tool. The correct spring compression could be “dialed in” by the installer. The compression tool can stay connected to the slideable carriage while the garage door is tested for balance. If the door is not balanced properly, adjustments to the counterbalance can quickly be made and the door can be retested. This “dial-in” method is a more convenient installation process because the removal and reattachment of the compression tool, a time consuming process required for conventional installations requiring door balance, is avoided. 
     While various inventive aspects, concepts and features of the inventions may be described and illustrated herein as embodied in combination in the exemplary embodiments, these various aspects, concepts and features may be used in many alternative embodiments, either individually or in various combinations and sub-combinations thereof. Unless expressly excluded herein all such combinations and sub-combinations are intended to be within the scope of the present inventions. Still further, while various alternative embodiments as to the various aspects, concepts and features of the inventions—such as alternative materials, structures, configurations, methods, circuits, devices and components, software, hardware, control logic, alternatives as to form, fit and function, and so on—may be described herein, such descriptions are not intended to be a complete or exhaustive list of available alternative embodiments, whether presently known or later developed. Those skilled in the art may readily adopt one or more of the inventive aspects, concepts or features into additional embodiments and uses within the scope of the present inventions even if such embodiments are not expressly disclosed herein. Additionally, even though some features, concepts or aspects of the inventions may be described herein as being a preferred arrangement or method, such description is not intended to suggest that such feature is required or necessary unless expressly so stated. Still further, exemplary or representative values and ranges may be included to assist in understanding the present disclosure; however, such values and ranges are not to be construed in a limiting sense and are intended to be critical values or ranges only if so expressly stated. Moreover, while various aspects, features and concepts may be expressly identified herein as being inventive or forming part of an invention, such identification is not intended to be exclusive, but rather there may be inventive aspects, concepts and features that are fully described herein without being expressly identified as such or as part of a specific invention. Descriptions of exemplary methods or processes are not limited to inclusion of all steps as being required in all cases, nor is the order that the steps are presented to be construed as required or necessary unless expressly so stated.