Door with a safety antenna
First Claim
1. A door system associated with a power source, comprising:
- a doorframe;
a door panel having a leading edge that is vertically movable in translation along the doorframe, wherein the leading edge has at least one end that can release from the doorframe for an applied force above a certain magnitude;
an antenna disposed adjacent to the leading edge and being vertically movable in translation therewith;
a signal generator electrically coupled to the antenna, whereby the signal generator creates an electromagnetic field adjacent to the antenna; and
a releasable electrical connector selectively providing and interrupting an electrical path between the antenna and the power source, wherein the releasable electrical connector interrupts the electrical path in reaction to the one end of the leading edge releasing from the doorframe.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A door system includes an antenna-based proximity sensor with a releasable electrical connector that enables the sensor to function with a breakaway feature of the door. The sensor includes a signal generator and a door-mounted antenna for sensing a body or an obstruction near the door. The signal generator (or oscillator) can be installed at various locations between a power source and the antenna. In some cases, the wiring between the antenna and the power source includes a rotatable feature to accommodate the rotation of a drum that carries a wrap-up, pliable door panel. The rotatable feature may be a rotatable electrical connector, or it may be a wire having sufficient length and flexibility to twist about itself within the hollow interior of the drum.
-
Citations
21 Claims
-
1. A door system associated with a power source, comprising:
-
a doorframe;
a door panel having a leading edge that is vertically movable in translation along the doorframe, wherein the leading edge has at least one end that can release from the doorframe for an applied force above a certain magnitude;
an antenna disposed adjacent to the leading edge and being vertically movable in translation therewith;
a signal generator electrically coupled to the antenna, whereby the signal generator creates an electromagnetic field adjacent to the antenna; and
a releasable electrical connector selectively providing and interrupting an electrical path between the antenna and the power source, wherein the releasable electrical connector interrupts the electrical path in reaction to the one end of the leading edge releasing from the doorframe. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
-
-
10. A door system associated with a power source, comprising:
-
a doorframe;
a door panel having a leading edge that is vertically movable in translation along the doorframe, wherein the leading edge has one end that can release from the doorframe for an applied force above a certain magnitude;
an antenna disposed adjacent to the leading edge and being vertically movable in translation therewith;
a signal generator at a substantially fixed location; and
a flexible electrical connector that connects the signal generator to the antenna, whereby the signal generator creates an electromagnetic field adjacent to the antenna and the flexible electrical connector accommodates movement of the antenna relative to the substantially fixed location of the signal generator. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13)
-
-
14. A door system associated with a power source, comprising:
-
a doorframe;
a door panel having a leading edge that is vertically movable in translation along the doorframe, wherein the leading edge has one end that can release from the doorframe for an applied force above a certain magnitude;
an antenna disposed adjacent to the leading edge and being movable therewith;
a signal generator electrically coupled to the antenna, whereby the signal generator creates an electromagnetic field adjacent to the antenna; and
a wire providing an electrical path between the antenna and the power source and having a rotatable feature that accommodates movement of the antenna. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
-
Specification