Remote release for a movable barrier arrangement
View Patent ↗A system for decoupling a barrier from a barrier movement apparatus for the manual operation of the barrier. Advantageously, the decoupling is performed in response to a wireless signal and may be done only when the barrier is determined to be in a safe position.
1. A barrier movement system comprising:
a motor selectively connected to a first source of electrical power;
a movable trolley assembly connected to the motor and to a barrier to couple the force generated by the motor to the barrier for movement thereof;
the movable trolley assembly comprising a receiver receiving transmitted release signals and a release arrangement responsive to a transmitted release signal decoupling the barrier from the motor, and the release arrangement includes a second source of electrical power not dependent upon the presence of the first source of electrical power.
2. A barrier movement system in accordance with claim 1 comprising position indicating apparatus for generating position signals representing the position of the barrier.
3. A barrier movement system in accordance with claim 2 wherein the release arrangement responds to the position signals.
4. A barrier movement system in accordance with claim 3 wherein the release arrangement responds to the position signals and decouples the barrier from the motor when the barrier is in a safe position.
5. A barrier movement system in accordance with claim 2 comprising a controller for selectively connecting the motor to the first source of electrical power.
6. A barrier movement system in accordance with claim 5 the controller is a programmable platform, programmed to generate the position signals.
7. A barrier movement system in accordance with claim 5 wherein the controller transmits the release signal.
8. A barrier movement system in accordance with claim 2 wherein the position indicating apparatus comprises a switch responsive to a position of the door.
9. A barrier movement system in accordance with claim 2 wherein the position indicating apparatus comprises a tilt indicating switch.
10. A barrier movement system in accordance with claim 2 wherein the position indicating apparatus comprises a tilt switch attached to the door.
11. A barrier movement system in accordance with claim 2 wherein the position indicating apparatus is attached to a connection between the motor and the barrier.
12. A barrier movement system in accordance with claim 11 wherein the movable trolley assembly includes a linearly moving connection between the barrier and the motor.
13. A barrier movement system in accordance with claim 1 wherein the movable trolley assembly comprises a linearly moving connection between the barrier and the motor.
14. A barrier movement system in accordance with claim 13 wherein the release arrangement comprises apparatus for decoupling the barrier from the linearly moving connection.
15. A barrier movement system in accordance with claim 1 wherein the release signal is transmitted by a wireless transmitter controlled by a user.