Automated garage door closer

[0001] This is a continuation, of prior application Ser. No. 09/750,992, filed Dec. 28. 2000 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,563,278, which is a Continuation-in-Part of prior application Ser. No. 09/358,970 filed Jul. 22, 1999 now abandoned, which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

[0002] The invention disclosed herein relates to an improved garage door closer that will automatically act to close a garage door that is left open for a specified period of time to prevent unwanted access to the garage.

[0003] Most residences are provided with garages which are either separated from the main residence or are directly connected to the house or through a breezeway, and have a connecting doorway from the garage into the house for entrance or egress therefrom; the garage having space for one or more vehicles. Of these garages, many have one or more overhead garage doors which travel on pairs of generally parallel tracks at the sides of the door opening from a closed vertical position to a substantially horizontal open position a short distance below the ceiling of the garage. Although a garage door may be manually opened or closed by the owner, the vast majority are provided with a reversible electric motor for raising and/or lowering the door, the motor being actuated by a wall switch on a wall of the garage or through a remote radio transmitter carried in the vehicle to send a signal from the vehicle driver to a receiver operatively connected to the motor to open or close the door. Thus, in inclement weather conditions, the driver is not obligated to leave the vehicle to open or close the door.

[0004] One problem with an automated overhead garage door is that, occasionally the door is unintentionally left in the open position when leaving the garage. When this happens, the security of the residence may be compromised by unauthorized entry into the garage and/or access to the house by burglars by breaking into the house through the connecting door leading from the garage to the house. Obviously, such a security breach is unwelcome and may result in property losses of objects stolen from the garage and/or house.

[0005] There have been a number of proposed solutions to this problem, however, many of the solutions are mechanical in nature and require specially manufactured parts. Also, electronic solutions to the problem have been suggested, but these systems lack versatility and have disadvantages regarding power supply and limitations in the timer function. Further, problems may occur with a premature closing of the garage door that might result in the door closing on a vehicle or locking a person out of his house. The present invention overcomes these problems in a simplified solution for automatically closing the garage door and is in conformity with United Underwriters Laboratory regulations.

[0006] The present invention relates to a novel and improved automated garage door closing device including a variable timing mechanism, optical sensor, carbon monoxide detector and activation switch. The activation switch is mounted to the door support rail and triggered when the door reaches the open position. The timing device, carbon monoxide detector and optical sensor, which are mounted in an enclosed case, are attached to the door support rail approximately eighteen inches from the garage floor. The sensor is directed to the opposite end of the door opening to a reflector mounted at the same height. The timing device is powered by a twelve-volt DC power supply, and two wires are attached to the activation switch previously described to activate the device when the door is opened. The timing device has a terminal for attaching two wires to the door opener that activates the door opener when a relay in the timing device is activated. The terminal can also be substituted with a radio transmitter that can learn the code of the door opener to eliminate the need for wires.

[0007] When the garage door is opened, the timing device is ready for the sequence of events. The timer that activates the door opener will not activate until a vehicle enters or leaves the garage. The timer is ready to be activated when the sensor is interrupted for at least three seconds or more. The activation of the timer takes place one second after the sensor returns to normal operation. The timer can be adjusted to activate the relay from thirty seconds to five minutes. When the timer is activated, an audible alarm provided in the unit will give an intermittent signal to warn the operator that the system is armed and that the door will automatically close. Shortly before closing, the alarm becomes more rapid in sound to announce the closing. If, during the closing of the door, an obstruction would occur returning the door to its open position, the closer device would automatically turn itself off. The automatic door closer cannot be activated again until the door is closed by the operator and remains closed for one and one-half minutes.

[0008] The unit also contains a carbon monoxide detector. If, after the timer closes the garage door and the engine of a vehicle is not turned off, dangerous carbon monoxide levels can build within the closed garage. When the level of carbon monoxide reaches the danger level, an alarm will sound and simultaneously this device will trigger the relay in the timing unit to activate the door opener and open the closed garage door.

[0009] A unique feature of this timing sequence is that it will allow a person or animal to pass through the sensor beam without activating the timer. This is important, allowing the user to use the open garage door as egress.

[0010] After an arriving or leaving vehicle activates the timing device and the sensor beam is interrupted again, the device will be deactivated. This is a safety feature to eliminate the possibility of entrapping a person or animal in the garage. The unit will remain deactivated until the user closes the overhead garage door and it remains closed for at least one and one-half minutes. When the garage door is reopened, the timing device is again ready for its sequence of events. The unit also has a manual switch that can be used to deactivate the unit when the overhead door is in the open position.

[0016] Referring more particularly to the disclosure in the drawings wherein is shown an illustrative embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 1 discloses a prior art overhead garage door 10 consisting of a plurality of door panel segments 11, 11a which are joined together by horizontally spaced hinges 12, 12, each horizontal panel segment having one or more pairs of vertically spaced sets of rollers 13, 13 that are guided in a pair of generally parallel tracks 14, 14; which tracks include a generally horizontal portion 15 and a generally vertical portion 17 at right angles to the vertical portion and joined by a curved intermediate portion 16 mounted in the opening 18 for entry of a vehicle into and from the garage. A garage door opening mechanism 21 consists of a reversible electric motor 22 which either drives an elongated screw or a gear 23 to move an endless chain in a central overhead track 24; a bracket 25 being secured to the upper edge 27 of the upper panel segment 11a of the garage door 10 and operationally connected to the screw or chain by a follower 26. Also, the overhead track 24 is provided with a pair of limit switches 28, 29, respectively, that are positioned adjacent the ends of the central track 24 and are adapted to be engaged either by a portion of the garage door panel segment 11 or a portion of the closer unit bracket 25 to de-energize the electric motor 22 at either end of garage door travel. Likewise, the garage door could comprise a single panel of a size to close the opening 18 of the garage, but without articulation; the door taking a different path of movement for opening and closing when actuated by the closer unit. All of this structure is conventional and well known.

[0017] The garage door opening mechanism 21 includes a receiver 31 that is mounted adjacent and operatively connected to the reversible electric motor 22, and a transmitter (not shown) carried by the operator of or located in the vehicle of the garage owner provides a signal to the receiver 31 to open or close the door. Also connected to the receiver by wiring 32 is a wall switch 33 having a push button 34 to actuate the motor. The closer may further include a ceiling light 35 which can be mounted on the unit or other suitable support in the ceiling of the garage, which light is actuated when the motor is energized and the unit has a time delay mechanism (not shown) that retains the light in an illuminated state for a predetermined period of time after the motor is energized. After the set period, the light is extinguished and remains off until the receiver is again energized. Also located adjacent the lower ends of the rails 14 are a pair of photo-eye sensors 36 and 37 mounted to project a beam 38 of light across the garage door opening which, when interrupted by an object as the door is closing, will reverse movement of the door to its open position; a safety feature required by UL regulation UL 325.

[0018] The present invention relates to an automated closing device for the garage door including a two-part housing 41 consisting of a body portion 43 and a cover 44 which nest together to form an enclosed unit for an activating switch 48. The cover 44 is provided with one or more pairs of spaced raised loops 45 adjacent the ends of the cover resulting in openings 46 to receive at least one strap 47 that passes through a pair of openings 46 and around the housing 41 and the horizontal portion 15 of one track 14 to support the housing on the rail; the housing being mounted on the horizontal track portion and positioned adjacent the end of movement of the upper door panel 11a.

[0019] Within the housing 42 is mounted the switch 48 having a flexible arm 49 to be engaged by the leading edge 27 of the upper garage door panel 11a. A control circuit 51 for the door closing device is shown in FIG. 5 and includes a timing device 52 consisting of an RC oscillator chip (designated MC14541B and manufactured by Motorola Corporation) that contains an oscillator providing a timing function; the circuit 51 being located in a second or sensor housing 61. The circuit includes a transformer (not shown) connected to a 120 volt AC source which provides 12 volt DC power at 76, and a line 53 extending between a pair of pins on the timing device or chip 52 includes an audible alarm 54 in series with a Schmit trigger inverter 55. A relay 57 is connected to the timing device 52 and is activated when the predetermined time interval (such as five minutes) elapses, the relay being connected to the door opener switch terminals 58; the terminals being connected to the line 32 of manual wall switch 33. The Schmit trigger inverter 55 in line with the alarm 54 acts to sound the alarm at pre-selected intervals, such as every ten seconds until fifteen seconds remain before the door closes, at which time the signal frequency increases and, at the five minute mark, the circuit actuates the drive motor to cause the door to descend.

[0020] Also connected to the timing chip 52 is a secondary portion 71 of circuit 51 including a line 72 extending from a pin on the chip through a resistor R7 to an on/off switch 56 in series with one side 74 of the micro-switch 48 that is closed when the garage door is opened, the opposite terminal 75 of the switch 48 being connected to the voltage source 76. The line 72 branches at 77 to the collector of a transistor Q3, the emitter leading to ground at 78. A line 79 from the base of transistor Q3 extends through a resistor R6 to intersect a branch line 81 extending between line 72 and a terminal of a second transistor Q1; line 81 containing a resistor R4. Another branch line 82 containing a resistor R5 extends from line 79 to the base of a third transistor Q2, with the emitter from this transistor grounded at 83, and a line 84 from the collector of a transistor Q2 extends to a line 85 from the base of transistor Q1, line 85 containing a resistor R3 and intersecting a third branch line 86 from line 72. Branch line 86 includes a diode CR1 and a resistor R1 on one side of line 85 and a capacitor C1 leading to ground 87 on the opposite side. The line 85 terminates beyond the third branch line 86 in a resistor R2 and is grounded at 88, and the voltage supply is grounded at 89.

[0021] Connected to the timing chip 52 through a line 92 is a sensor 91 that is connected to a second photo-eye sensor 93 and opposing reflector 94, which sensor is programmed to activate the timer/closer device when a vehicle leaves the garage. In view of the bulk and length of an automotive vehicle, the sensor beam 95 is interrupted for a sufficient interval that the sensor will activate the device.

[0022] In normal operation, (the door having been closed for a long time), when the door is opened to close the switch 48, power is applied to the timer's voltage input 76 (approximately 12 volts DC). Capacitor C1 is discharged which holds the gate of transistor Q1 low so transistor Q1 is off. With transistor Q1 off, the resistors R4, R5 and R6 form a voltage divider network that applies sufficient base voltage to turn on transistors Q2 and Q3. When transistor Q2 is on, it grounds the gate of transistor Q1, which prevents transistor Q1 from turning on as capacitor Cl charges up. Also, with transistor Q3 on, the reset input to the timing chip 52 is low, enabling timer operation.

[0023] When the timer is operating, capacitor C1 charges up to approximately the voltage supply level through diode CR1 and resistor R1. The resistor R1 and capacitor C1 network provides a power up delay of about 1.5 seconds allowing the timer to latch the operational state. When the timer circuit completes the time delay, the output relay 57 is activated which causes the door to close. When the door closes, the door switch 48 opens removing power from the timer. With the power removed, capacitor C1 starts discharging through resistor R2. Diode CR1 prevents discharge current flow back through resistor R1. It takes about one minute for capacitor C1 to discharge to a level that will be low enough to allow another timer cycle.

[0024] If the door hits an obstruction that causes the door to reopen within the one-minute capacitor discharge time, the re-cycle fault circuit 71 prevents another time delay cycle. When power is re-applied and capacitor C1 is still charged up, the transistor Q1 is on grounding the junction of resistors R4, R5 and R6. With that point grounded, transistors Q2 and Q3 are off. When transistor Q3 is off, the reset input to the timing chip 52 is high, disabling the timer, and the timer will not operate again until a remote switch closes the door or power is removed for the capacitor C1 discharge delay time.

[0025] This device presents a complete package for the homeowner that possesses a garage with an overhead garage door having a remote control opening device including the photo-electric eye beam, and the present device will act to automatically close the overhead door if the owner should forget to do so; the device being easily installed by a homeowner with a minimum of tools and equipment. The closed housing 41 contains the activating switch 48 for the device and the second or sensor housing 61 is provided adjacent the photo-eye placement adjacent the floor of the garage to contain the electronics for the device with the exception of the power supply. One or more nylon straps 47 are used to position and secure the switch 48 in housing 41 next to the door edge when the door is in the “up” position, and the strap is secured to the door rail or track 14.

[0026] This automated door closing device has a number of advantages for the home owner:

• • [0027] 1. Easy installation.
  • [0028] 2. Audible alarm sound is immediate when the system is activated.
  • [0029] 3. A low voltage system that is safe to use.
  • [0030] 4. Allows passage of a person through the door opening without activation of the door closing device.

[0031] The unit is designed to operate with garage door openers containing sensors as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings; wherein the sensors are installed adjacent ground level for the garage door 10. When the door opening mechanism 21 operates to open the door, the door moves in the tracks 14, 14 by the motor until the door reaches a fully open position, which in turn, closes the switch 48. Once the door is opened, the sensor 91 through interruption of the beam 95 for a pre-determined time interval, such as three seconds, detects a vehicle entering or exiting the garage, which will activate the circuit 51 to initiate a cycle and automatically close the door after the variable time period expires; the circuit activating the motor to close the door. However, if a person or an animal passes through the open door during the timing cycle, the person or animal interrupts the light beam 95 of the sensor 91 momentarily, the sensor notes the shorter time interval of beam interruption, and the circuit will be deactivated. This will prevent entrapment of a person or animal within the garage. Once the circuit for the door is deactivated, it will remain deactivated until the door is intentionally closed by an operator and remains closed for a pre-determined time interval, such as one and one-half minutes; which action resets the device. Then, when the door is opened and a vehicle enters the garage, the device will be activated for another cycle.

[0032] If the garage is situated in an alley necessitating the jockeying of the vehicle into or out of the garage, once the door is opened, the vehicle will break the beam 95 one or more times until the vehicle is fully positioned in the garage. During this jockeying, although the beam is interrupted for the required minimum time interval, the sensor will not activate the timer cycle. When the vehicle is fully positioned in the garage and the beam is uninterrupted for a set time interval, the sensor will sense that the vehicle is present and activates the circuit to start the timing cycle for automatically closing the door.

[0033] When the device completes the cycle and initiates closing of the garage door, if an object or person is within the path of the closing door, the door will reverse and engage the switch finger 49, and the sensor will disable the timer. Again, the device cannot be activated until a preset time period is exceeded and the door is manually activated by the vehicle operator. The device can be deactivated at any time with the manual switch 56. The unit also may contain a carbon monoxide detector 96 connected by line 97 to the relay 57. If, after the timer closes the garage door and the engine of a vehicle is not turned off, dangerous carbon monoxide fumes can build within the closed garage area. When the level of carbon monoxide reaches the danger level, an alarm will sound and simultaneously this device will trigger the relay 57 to activate the door opener and open the closed garage door.