A modular garage door opener system and method including a garage door opener having a motor that is configured to be coupled to a garage door to open and close the garage door. The garage door opener includes a first accessory port including a first accessory mounting interface and a second accessory port disposed on the garage door opener including a second accessory mounting interface. An accessory device including a first mounting interface engages the first accessory mounting interface to couple the accessory device to the first accessory port. The accessory device may be disengaged from the first accessory mounting interface and then engage the second accessory mounting interface to couple the accessory device to the second accessory port. Additionally, a second accessory device may engage the first accessory port after disengagement of the accessory device.

A latch assembly connected to the drive unit of a bi-fold door for retaining the bi-fold door secure to a building has elongated straps attached to rotatable latch drums mounted on the outer ends of the drive shaft of the drive unit. Lift drums powered by a motor driven gearbox raise and lower the bi-fold door. Latch assemblies having springs attached to the straps maintain tension on the straps during the opening and closing of the bi-fold door.

This invention is about an improved garage door opener system, with design features for preventing garage door break-in from outside of the garage using an object such as a hanger. Typically, a person pulls down a cord connected to a release handle to release emergency release of a garage door opener, allowing the door to be manually open or closed. An unauthorized person may attempt to pull down the cord using a hanger from outside the garage or to pull or push down the release handle, to open the door from outside and gain unauthorized entrance. The improved garage door opener system provides a mechanism to reverse the pulling direction of the cord and also protects release handle from being accessed from outside the garage, for increased security.

A mechanical transmission system is provided for a barrier operator system for positioning a garage door between open and closed positions. The transmission system includes a rail having a channel to receive a drive sprocket and a return pulley. A drive element is trained around the drive sprocket and return pulley. The system further includes a tensioning system disposed within the channel and includes a return pulley support member and a bracket disposed on an end of the rail for supporting the return pulley support member. In addition, an adjusting screw is interfaced with and extends between the return pulley support member and the bracket, the adjusting screw movable to adjust the position of the return pulley support member relative to the bracket to increase or decrease the tension of the drive element.

A latch assembly connected to the drive unit of a bi-fold door retains the bi-fold door in engagement with upright columns of a building with elongated straps attached to the upright columns and rotatable latch drums mounted on a drive shaft of a drive unit. Lift devices powered by the drive unit raise and lower the bi-fold door. Latch assemblies include springs that maintain tension on the straps during the opening and closing of the bi-fold door.

A modular garage door opener system and method including a garage door opener having a motor that is configured to be coupled to a garage door to open and close the garage door. The garage door opener includes a first accessory port including a first accessory mounting interface and a second accessory port disposed on the garage door opener including a second accessory mounting interface. An accessory device including a first mounting interface engages the first accessory mounting interface to couple the accessory device to the first accessory port. The accessory device may be disengaged from the first accessory mounting interface and then engage the second accessory mounting interface to couple the accessory device to the second accessory port. Additionally, a second accessory device may engage the first accessory port after disengagement of the accessory device.

A modular garage door opener system and method including a garage door opener having a motor that is configured to be coupled to a garage door to open and close the garage door. The garage door opener includes a first accessory port including a first accessory mounting interface and a second accessory port disposed on the garage door opener including a second accessory mounting interface. An accessory device including a first mounting interface engages the first accessory mounting interface to couple the accessory device to the first accessory port. The accessory device may be disengaged from the first accessory mounting interface and then engage the second accessory mounting interface to couple the accessory device to the second accessory port. Additionally, a second accessory device may engage the first accessory port after disengagement of the accessory device.

An accessory device system includes a charger, a battery pack selectively coupled to a battery receiving portion of the charger to receive charging current, and a first accessory device selectively coupled to an accessory device port of the charger. The charger further includes an electronic controller having a wireless transceiver and configured to communicate with a peripheral device to one or more of provide identity and status information regarding the first accessory device and to receive settings data to control the first accessory device. The charger receives the identity and status information from the first accessory device, and provides the settings data to the first accessory device to control the first accessory device. In some instances, the peripheral device and the charger communicate via a network and server, and the charger communicates wirelessly with the network via the wireless transceiver.

An accessory device system includes a charger, a battery pack selectively coupled to a battery receiving portion of the charger to receive charging current, and a first accessory device selectively coupled to an accessory device port of the charger. The charger further includes an electronic controller having a wireless transceiver and configured to communicate with a peripheral device to one or more of provide identity and status information regarding the first accessory device and to receive settings data to control the first accessory device. The charger receives the identity and status information from the first accessory device, and provides the settings data to the first accessory device to control the first accessory device. In some instances, the peripheral device and the charger communicate via a network and server, and the charger communicates wirelessly with the network via the wireless transceiver.

A multi-panel overhead stacking door which allows for the addition of multiple panels across an opening width. A vertical extrusion acts a guide for the panel above and/or below it. The vertical extrusion serves as a moving guide which thereby allows for the relatively easy addition of multiple panels. At each end of the door is a series of formed parts that are attached to the ends of the end panels and movably maintained with door guides. The assembled door is driven by, for example, a driven shaft, positioned at the top of or above the door opening. The shaft comprises drums to windingly and unwindingly receive a lifting member. The lifting member runs from the drum to the bottom panel assembly behind each vertical extrusion.