US 12,466,244 B2
Barrier movement assist system and method of use
Benjamin Lynn Hinson, Kannapolis, NC (US); Mitchell Ryan Fenton, Winston-Salem, NC (US); and Bryan Glenn Childress, Lexington, NC (US)
Assigned to RCR ENTERPRISES, LLC, Welcome, NC (US)
Filed by RCR Enterprises, LLC, Welcome, NC (US)
Filed on Dec. 13, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/537,925.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/432,290, filed on Dec. 13, 2022.
Prior Publication US 2024/0190219 A1, Jun. 13, 2024
Int. Cl. B60J 1/17 (2006.01); B60R 21/12 (2006.01); E06B 5/12 (2006.01); E05F 15/689 (2015.01)
CPC B60J 1/17 (2013.01) [B60R 21/12 (2013.01); E06B 5/12 (2013.01); E05F 15/6907 (2024.01)] 16 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A barrier assist system configured to aid in moving a barrier, the barrier assist system comprising:
one or more support members configured to be operatively coupled to the barrier;
at least two assist devices configured to be operatively coupled to the one or more support members and a frame,
wherein each of the at least two assist devices comprise:
a rotational member, wherein the rotational member comprises a spring-loaded pully;
a flexible member operatively coupled to the rotational member and operatively coupled to the one or more support members; and
wherein a drive system is configured to open and close the barrier;
wherein the barrier assist system is configured to aid the drive system in opening or closing of the barrier within the frame; and
wherein when the barrier is opening, the spring-loaded pully provides a counter force while the spring-loaded pully is loaded at least in part by the weight of the barrier reducing the opening speed of the barrier, and wherein when the barrier is closing, the spring-loaded pully provides an additional force to the barrier to aid the drive system during closing of the barrier; and
wherein the flexible member is configured to be unwound from the rotational member when the barrier is opened, and wherein the flexible member is configured to be wound around the rotational member when the barrier is closed.