Ben N Yoder

US Patent:

6508461, Jan 21, 2003

Filed:

Jan 12, 1998

Appl. No.:

09/005516

Inventors:

Thomas P Trevorrow - Holsopple PA
Ben D. Yoder - Apple Creek OH
Albert E Zuccolotto - Johnstown PA

Assignee:

Safe Ratch, Inc. - Johnstown PA

International Classification:

F16F 106

US Classification:

267155, 267179, 267175, 16299, 160191

Abstract:

Disclosed herein is an improved arrangement for the operation of an overhead garage door that comprises an adapter utilized for installation and periodic maintenance of the support arrangement. Also disclosed is an adapter for use with existing garage door structures, improved wrenches for use in tensioning coil springs usually found in such arrangements and a method for tensioning such coil springs when they are originally installed or during periodic maintenance of the springs. The adapter comprises a body that may be mounted upon a rotatable shaft that supports the coil springs and be non-rotatabley attached to an end of the coil spring and the rotatable shaft. The attachment to the shaft is a releasable connection and the body has splines or projecting abutment surfaces so that two of the improved wrenches according to the present invention may have their jaws closely surround and engage the splines on the body. For already existing structures the adapter has an end that is designed to attach to the collar already in place and also be attached to the end of the coil spring. The wrenches have releasable latch means that are designed to engage and disengage with the splines on the adapter body.

US Patent:

59117974, Jun 15, 1999

Filed:

Jun 20, 1990

Appl. No.:

7/540839

Inventors:

Thomas P Trevorrow - Holsopple PA
Ben D. Yoder - Apple Creek OH
Albert E Zuccolotto - Johnstown PA
Thomas P. Trevorrow - Holsopple PA

Assignee:

Albentom Corp. - Holsopple PA

International Classification:

B25B 1312
B25B 1350

US Classification:

811761

Abstract:

Disclosed herein is an improved arrangement for the operation of an overhead garage door that comprises an adapter utilized for installation and periodic maintenance of the support arrangement. Also disclosed is an adapter for use with existing garage door structures, improved wrenches for use in tensioning coil springs usually found in such arrangements and a method for tensioning such coil springs when they are originally installed or during periodic maintenance of the springs. The adapter comprises a body that may be mounted upon a rotatable shaft that supports the coil springs and be non-rotatabley attached to an end of the coil spring and the rotatable shaft. The attachment to the shaft is a releasable connection and the body has splines or projecting abutment surfaces so that two of the improved wrenches according to the present invention may have their jaws closely surround and engage the splines on the body. For already existing structures the adapter has an end that is designed to attach to the collar already in place and also be attached to the end of the coil spring. The wrenches have releasable latch means that are designed to engage and disengage with the splines on the adapter body.