US3973173A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Curtain control system for poultry houses
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1975-02-05
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Granted: 1976-08-03
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Expires: 1995-02-05
Abstract
Abstract The side curtains of a poultry house are automatically opened upon a power failure in the electrical circuit of the ventilating system. An electrical monitoring circuit activated responsive to such power failure, releases a winch which normally maintains the curtains in a closed position, causing them to drop to an open position. The electrical monitoring system includes a time delay relay which is activated upon the power failure to release a normally latched mechanism. A latching cable is thus released, freeing the winch.
Inventors
- 👤 Roman Oren Smith
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-22 20:31
CPC Classifications
E; E05; E05F; E05F1/00; E05F1/002; E05Y; E05Y2900/00; E05Y2900/10; E05Y2900/13; E05Y2900/146
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
161 words
A curtain release device for poultry houses of the type having an electrically operated ventilating system and side wall curtains normally held in an upper or closed position by a cable connecting the curtains and a winch assembly, said device comprising: a. an electrical monitoring means for completing an electrical circuit responsive to interruption of electrical current to said poultry house; b. a normally closed latching means connected to said monitoring means, said latching means being moved to a release position responsive to the completion of said electrical circuit; and c. a connecting means having one end thereof attached to said winch assembly and the other end releasably connected to said latching means, said connecting means normally holding said winch assembly with said curtains in a closed position, but being released upon movement of said latching means to said release position to thereby release said winch assembly, whereby said curtain is released upon interruption of electrical current to said poultry house.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
161 words
A curtain release device for poultry houses of the type having an electrically operated ventilating system and side wall curtains normally held in an upper or closed position by a cable connecting the curtains and a winch assembly, said device comprising: a. an electrical monitoring means for completing an electrical circuit responsive to interruption of electrical current to said poultry house; b. a normally closed latching means connected to said monitoring means, said latching means being moved to a release position responsive to the completion of said electrical circuit; and c. a connecting means having one end thereof attached to said winch assembly and the other end releasably connected to said latching means, said connecting means normally holding said winch assembly with said curtains in a closed position, but being released upon movement of said latching means to said release position to thereby release said winch assembly, whereby said curtain is released upon interruption of electrical current to said poultry house.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
96 words
The curtain release device according to claim 1 wherein said connecting means comprises a latching cable having a loop at either end, one of said loops being connected to the crank handle of said winch assembly and the other loop being connected to said latching means, the length of said cable being such that when said curtain is in an upper, closed position and the latching means is in a closed position, said cable is taut, whereby upon release of said latching means, the tension in said cable pulls the loop away from said latching means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
64 words
The curtain release device according to claim 2 wherein said latching means comprises a bracket mounted to said poultry house adjacent said winch assembly and a solenoid secured to said bracket, said solenoid including a plunger operated in response to said monitoring means to move from a normally extended position to a fully retracted position upon interruption of electrical current to said poultry house.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
85 words
The curtain release device according to claim 3 wherein said monitoring means includes a time-delay relay having a set of contacts which are normally maintained open by the presence of AC power, said contacts being closed upon passage of a preselected time interval after an interruption of electrical current to said poultry house, a capacitor receiving current during normal operation to build up a charge, and upon interruption of electrical current discharging its stored-up energy through said closed contacts to said solenoid for operation thereof.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1979-08-03 | 1980-02-02 | 1980-08-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-08-03 | 1984-02-02 | 1984-08-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-08-03 | 1988-02-02 | 1988-08-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |