Garage Door Closed by Passage of Car

Excerpt from Popular Mechanics Shop Notes Vol. 17, 1921

Any easy-running garage or barn door may be arranged, as shown in the drawing, to close itself as soon as the rear wheels of a vehicle pass over the tripping device. The door is counterweighted so that, when the trip is released, the weight pulls the door shut. The trip, or release, consists of a hinged plank arranged, as indicated, to engage with the notched plate on the door; this plate has two notches, one of which engages with the plank in the extreme open position. A spring on the underside of the plank holds it in engagement with the notches. In operation, the front wheel of the vehicle pushes the trip down and the door is released until the catch engages in the second notch, which is about 2 in. back of the first. The rear wheel disengages the catch from the second notch and the door rolls shut. The door travel should be adjusted so that it will clear the car as it shuts.

A simple device that automatically closes sliding garage doors after the passage of a vehicle.

Excerpt from Popular Mechanics Shop Notes Vol. 17, 1921

Editor's Note: This is a reprint of an article published in 1921. It describes what was recommended in accordance with the knowledge and practices of the day. While reading it, please consider this fact.