A method for operating a building closure having the shape of an overhead sectional door or of a garage door including at least one spring-loaded counterweight device and an electrical drive device is disclosed. A control unit simultaneously monitors the position of the building closure and a motor current for the drive device. When the building closure is in an open or a closed position, the motor current is reduced and maintained at a level to residually energize the drive device to reliably maintain the building closure in a desired position.

A saloon-type door assembly that includes left and right door assemblies that each include a frame adapter having a curved inner surface with a first apex, a front portion and a rear portion, a door adapter that includes a curved outer surface with a second apex a front portion and a rear portion, a door panel associated with the door adapter, at least one front hinge strip secured along a front hinge strip path, and at least one rear hinge strip that is secured along a rear hinge strip path. The front hinge strip path extends from the front portion of the curved outer surface of the door adapter to the rear portion of the curved inner surface of the frame adapter. The rear hinge strip path extends from the rear portion of the curved outer surface of the door adapter to the front portion of the curved inner surface of the frame adapter. The door panels are movable between a front open position, a closed position and a rear open position.

A lock assembly that includes a blocking member and a linkage assembly having a triangle member assembly and a bar member. The first corner of the triangle member assembly is pivotably attached to a first end of the bar member and a second end of the bar member is pivotably attached to the blocking member. The first leg of the triangle member assembly extends between the first and second corners, the second leg extends between the second and third corners and the third leg extends between the first and third corners. The lock assembly also includes a handle associated with the third corner of the triangle member assembly. Movement of the handle along a curved path from a start position to a finish position moves the blocking member between a first position and a second position. A first distance is defined between the handle and the blocking member when the blocking member is in the first position and a greater second distance is defined when the blocking member is in the second position.

A hinge assembly that includes a frame adapter having a curved inner surface with a front portion and a rear portion, a door adapter having a curved outer surface with a front portion and a rear portion, at least one front hinge strip that is secured along a front hinge strip path, and at least one rear hinge strip that is secured along a rear hinge strip path. The front hinge strip path extends from the front portion of the curved outer surface of the door adapter to the rear portion of the curved inner surface of the frame adapter. The rear hinge strip path extends from the rear portion of the curved outer surface of the door adapter to the front portion of the curved inner surface of the frame adapter. The curved outer surface of the door adapter opposes the curved inner surface of the frame adapter and the door adapter is movable relative to the frame adapter between a front open position, a closed position and a rear open position.

A vehicle window glass raising/lowering device includes a drive mechanism, a control unit for controlling the drive mechanism, a camera for capturing an image of a detection line. The camera includes an optical system. The control unit includes a detection means for detecting a blocked state in which the detection line captured in an image by the camera is at least partially blocked by a foreign object, and a pinching prevention means when the blocked state is detected by the detection means during when the window glass is moved by the drive mechanism. The optical system is arranged at a position corresponding to an opening formed on an upper surface of a door trim so that an optical axis of the optical system passes through the opening.

A vehicle window glass raising/lowering device includes a drive mechanism, a control unit for controlling the drive mechanism, and a camera for capturing an image of a detection line. The camera includes an optical system. The control unit includes a detection means for detecting a blocked state in which the detection line captured in an image by the camera is at least partially blocked by a foreign object, and a pinching prevention means when the blocked state is detected by the detection means during when the window glass is moved by the drive mechanism. The optical system is arranged at a position corresponding to an opening formed on an inner circumferential surface of the frame portion so that an optical axis of the optical system passes through the opening.

The present invention concerns an auto-close door for closing an area (3) at least partially defined by a frame, said auto-close door comprising: A) A motorized driving mechanism (10) suitable for moving a leading edge (1L) of a shutter (1) in a first direction () to close said area defined within said frame and in a second direction () to open said area; B) Wave detection cells (5) suitable for detecting the presence of an obstacle within the area defined by the frame; and/or C) In addition or alternatively, an impact detector (6) suitable for detecting an impacting event with a leading edge of the shutter, D) A processing unit (CPU) programmed to carry out the following operations: a) Upon opening the area a first time by moving the leading edge of the shutter in said second direction (), maintain the area open for an opening time (t1), after which b) close the shutter, c) Record whether an obstacle and/or an impacting event is detected by the wave detector or the impact detector, upon closing the shutter; d) Count the number (n), of obstacles and/or impacting events detected during a number (N), of repetitions of the cycle defined by steps (a) to (c), and if n/N>v.sub.ref,1, wherein, v.sub.ref,1, is a first control ratio, then the opening time (t1), is prolonged to a time, t2=t1+t2, wherein t2>0; (e) Repeat steps (a) to (d) with the values t1 or t2 determined in step (d).

A method and apparatus that prevent a collision with a hitch accessory are provided. The method includes: detecting an input to open a gate or detecting a gate opening motion, determining whether hitch accessory is present in a path of the gate opening motion, and in response to determining that the hitch accessory is absent from the path, opening the gate.

A method and device for opening a door in a hygienic manner, is done by positioning a foot or hand in a specific defined area so that a light beam that is directed towards the area is interrupted within a set range of distances such that an automatic opening mechanism for the door is activated.

The invention discloses a folding and unfolding mechanism. The folding and unfolding mechanism is mounted between an upper panel and a lower panel which are hinged, and is used for folding and unfolding the upper panel and the lower panel, and for overturning for 0-180 degrees between the upper panel and the lower panel; wherein the folding and unfolding mechanism comprises a four-connecting-rod assembly, a pushrod assembly and an auxiliary connecting rod assembly; the auxiliary connecting rod assembly comprises a first auxiliary connecting rod and a second auxiliary connecting rod, wherein one end of the first auxiliary connecting rod is hinged to one end of the second auxiliary connecting rod; the other end of the first auxiliary connecting rod is hinged to the lower panel; and the other end of the second auxiliary connecting rod is fixedly connected with a fourth connecting rod. The invention provides a mechanism, mounted between an upper panel and a lower panel which are hinged together, for folding and unfolding the upper panel and the lower panel, and for overturning for 0-180 degrees between the upper panel and the lower panel.