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US4843639A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Fully automatic garage door opener

Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1988-03-17
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Granted: 1989-06-27
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Expires: 2008-03-17
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Abstract

Abstract This invention relates to a door or a gate for an enclosure, controlled remotely by a vehicle using an electronic control for moving the door to an open or closed position with a switch for initiating the operation of the control. The invention particularly relates to an improvement for opening and closing the door or gate and essentially includes a light transmission means mounted on the vehicle for generating a light beam, with a first light receiving apparatus mounted in the enclosure for receiving the generated light when the vehicle is clear of the door or gate. When the first light receiver detects the light beam, it either switches the control to close or open the door or gate. A second light receiving apparatus is mounted outside the enclosure in the normal path the vehicle travels while entering or leaving the enclosure. The second light receiving apparatus is mounted in a position to receive the beam of light when the vehicle passes the mounted location. When the second receiving apparatus detects the light beam, the garage door or gate is either closed or opened, depending upon its present position.

Inventors

  • 👤 Richard G. Beals

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-27 20:08
CPC Classifications
G; G07; G07C; G07C9/00; G07C9/00174; G07C9/00182; E; E05; E05F; E05F15/00; E05F15/70; E05F15/77; E05F15/78; E05Y; E05Y2900/00; E05Y2900/10; E05Y2900/106; G07C2009/00753; G07C2009/00769; G07C2009/00785; G07C9/00896; G07C2009/00928

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim 221 words
In an enclosure for a vehicle, said enclosure having an automatically movable closure apparatus, an electrical control for moving said closure apparatus to an open or closed position and a switch means for initiating the operation of said control, an improvement comprising: (a) light transmission means mounted on said vehicle for generating a light beam; (b) an ignition switch and means for simultaneously operating said light transmission means when said ignition switch is turned to start said vehicle; (c) a first light receiving means mounted in said enclosure for receiving said generated light beam when said vehicle is positioned in said enclosure so that it can no longer be struck by said closure apparatus, and for generating an output signal to said switch means; (d) a second light receiving means mounted outside said enclosure in the path of said vehicle entering or leaving said enclosure, said second light receiving means generating a second signal when receiving light from said light transmission means said second light receiving means mounted at least the length of said vehicle from said closure apparatus; and, (e) means for communicating said second signal from said second light receiving means to said switch means; whereby when said vehicle is at said first light receiving means or passes said second light receiving means said switch means will be operated.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 221 words
In an enclosure for a vehicle, said enclosure having an automatically movable closure apparatus, an electrical control for moving said closure apparatus to an open or closed position and a switch means for initiating the operation of said control, an improvement comprising: (a) light transmission means mounted on said vehicle for generating a light beam; (b) an ignition switch and means for simultaneously operating said light transmission means when said ignition switch is turned to start said vehicle; (c) a first light receiving means mounted in said enclosure for receiving said generated light beam when said vehicle is positioned in said enclosure so that it can no longer be struck by said closure apparatus, and for generating an output signal to said switch means; (d) a second light receiving means mounted outside said enclosure in the path of said vehicle entering or leaving said enclosure, said second light receiving means generating a second signal when receiving light from said light transmission means said second light receiving means mounted at least the length of said vehicle from said closure apparatus; and, (e) means for communicating said second signal from said second light receiving means to said switch means; whereby when said vehicle is at said first light receiving means or passes said second light receiving means said switch means will be operated.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 14 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said closure apparatus is a garage door.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 19 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said vehicle includes a switch to turn on said light transmission means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 26 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said vehicle includes a timing means for shutting off said light transmission means after a preselected period of time.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 18 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 4 wherein said ignition switch is connected to turn on said timing means.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US2429607A Cited
US4025791A Cited
US4727593A Cited
US4404558A Cited
US4426662A Cited
US4750118A Cited
US4731605A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1992-06-26 1992-12-26 1993-06-27 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1996-06-26 1996-12-26 1997-06-27 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2000-06-26 2000-12-26 2001-06-27 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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