IP Library Granted Patent US 11,428,038
Granted Patent B2
US 11,428,038 · App. 16/616,882 · Granted Aug 30, 2022

Movable barrier operator

Inventors: Brian Roy Skotty (Elmhurst, IL); Alberto Urias Vazquez (Sonora, MX); Jon James Parrinello (Elgin, IL)
Assignee: The Chamberlain Group LLC
E05F15/684E05Y2201/66E05Y2900/106
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,428,038
App. No.
16/616,882
Granted
Aug 30, 2022
Kind
B2
Abstract

In accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure, a head unit of a movable barrier operator is provided including a motor for moving a movable barrier and a first circuit board operable to provide power to the motor. The head unit includes a fire-resistant container that contains the first circuit board. This permits the electrical components of the head unit that utilize higher voltage, such as 120 volts, to be provided on the first circuit board and contained in the fire-resistant container. The head unit further includes a second circuit board outside of the fire-resistant container and operably coupled to the first circuit board. Because the second circuit board is outside of the fire-resistant container, the second circuit board may contain electrical components of the head unit that operate at lower voltages, such as at or below 24 volts.

Claims (23)

1. A movable barrier operator system comprising:

a rail;

a trolley configured to be connected to a movable barrier and moved along the rail to cause movement of the movable barrier;

a head unit adapted to utilize either a belt or a chain to drive the trolley;

a rotatable drive member of the head unit configured to engage and drive either of the belt and the chain; and

a guide associated with the rail and having chain separating members adapted to spread portions of the chain apart and at least one belt backing member adapted to keep the belt engaged with the rotatable drive member.

2. The movable barrier operator system of claim 1 wherein the rotatable drive member includes a drive pinion aligned along the rail with the chain separating member for engaging and driving the chain and a drive pulley aligned along the rail with the at least one belt backing member for engaging and driving the belt.

3. The movable barrier operator system of claim 1 wherein the chain separating members include a pair of channels at opposite sides of the rail.

4. The movable barrier operator system of claim 1 wherein the at least one belt backing member includes at least one curved surface extending about the rotatable drive member.

5. The movable barrier operator system of claim 1 wherein the rail includes at least one opening and the at least one belt backing member extends into the at least one opening.

6. The movable barrier operator system of claim 1 wherein the chain separating members includes a chain separating member at opposite sides of the rail and the at least one belt backing member includes a pair of belt backing members at opposite sides of the rail.

7. The movable barrier operator system of claim 1 wherein the guide is assembled with the rail.

8. A guide for guiding the movement of either a belt or a chain driven along a rail of a movable barrier operator by a rotatable drive of the movable barrier operator, the guide comprising:

a base adapted to be secured to the rail;

at least one chain shifting member configured to shift a chain away from the rail; and

at least one belt backing member configured to keep the belt engaged with the rotatable drive.

9. The guide of claim 8 wherein the at least one chain shifting member and the at least one band backing member are movable relative to the base from an installation position to an operating position.

10. The guide of claim 8 further comprising at least one side member connected to the base having a surface for contacting a first side of the rail and including the at least one chain shifting member and the at least one band backing member.

11. The guide of claim 10 wherein connection between the at least one side member and the base is flexible and permits the at least one side member to be pivoted relative to the base.

12. The guide of claim 8 wherein the at least one chain shifting member includes a pair of chain shifting members spaced apart from each other and the at least one band backing member includes a pair of band backing members.

13. The guide of claim 12 further comprising a pair of side members connected to the base and having surfaces for contacting opposite sides of the rail, the side members each including one of the chain shifting members and one of the band backing members.

14. The guide of claim 13 wherein the side members include channels having the belt shifting members therein and the at least one band backing member includes a curved surface.

15. The guide of claim 8 wherein the base, the at least one chain shifting member, and the at least one band backing member have a unitary, one-piece construction.

Assignments (6)
NOTICE OF TERMINATION AND RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS Recorded Jan 26, 2024
From: ARES CAPITAL CORPORATION, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: THE CHAMBERLAIN GROUP LLC; SYSTEMS, LLC
Reel/Frame 066374/0749 →
FIRST LIEN PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Nov 3, 2021
From: THE CHAMBERLAIN GROUP LLC; SYSTEMS, LLC
To: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 058014/0931 →
SECOND LIEN PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Nov 3, 2021
From: THE CHAMBERLAIN GROUP LLC; SYSTEMS, LLC
To: ARES CAPITAL CORPORATION, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 058015/0001 →
CONVERSION Recorded Sep 10, 2021
From: THE CHAMBERLAIN GROUP, INC.
To: THE CHAMBERLAIN GROUP LLC
Reel/Frame 057465/0627 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 11, 2020
From: SKOTTY, BRIAN ROY
To: THE CHAMBERLAIN GROUP, INC.
Reel/Frame 054616/0551 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 11, 2020
From: VAZQUEZ, ALBERTO URIAS; PARRINELLO, JON JAMES
To: THE CHAMBERLAIN GROUP, INC.
Reel/Frame 054616/0583 →