Hands-free door opener and method
First Claim
1. An apparatus for automatically opening a swinging door comprising:
- an actuator further comprising at least one proximity sensor for detecting at least one proximity zone corresponding to individual iconic instructions comprising a display;
a control unit in electronic communication with said actuator; and
a power assisted drive mechanism in electronic communication with said control unit wherein said power assisted drive mechanism operates to open said door through the reverse activation of a conventional door closer.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus for automatically opening a swinging restroom door is provided. The apparatus comprises an actuator, a control unit, and a power assisted drive mechanism that can be connected to an existing door closing mechanism. The actuator comprises a proximity sensor and further comprises a series of iconic symbols corresponding to predetermined proximity zones. The control unit is in electronic communication with the actuator with which signals are exchanged. The power assisted drive mechanism is in electronic communication with the control unit and can be connected to an existing door closing mechanism wherein the actions of the door closing mechanism are reversed and the door is opened.
112 Citations
20 Claims
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1. An apparatus for automatically opening a swinging door comprising:
- an actuator further comprising at least one proximity sensor for detecting at least one proximity zone corresponding to individual iconic instructions comprising a display;
a control unit in electronic communication with said actuator; and
a power assisted drive mechanism in electronic communication with said control unit wherein said power assisted drive mechanism operates to open said door through the reverse activation of a conventional door closer. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
- an actuator further comprising at least one proximity sensor for detecting at least one proximity zone corresponding to individual iconic instructions comprising a display;
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8. A method of automatically opening an inward swinging restroom door comprising the utilization of:
- an actuator further comprising a proximity sensor, having a plurality of proximity zones corresponding to individual iconic instructions comprising a display;
a control unit in electronic communication with said actuator and a power assisted drive mechanism in electronic communication with said control unit wherein said power assisted drive mechanism operates to open said door through the reverse activation of a conventional door closer whereby the swinging restroom door is opened automatically. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
- an actuator further comprising a proximity sensor, having a plurality of proximity zones corresponding to individual iconic instructions comprising a display;
- 15. An actuator comprising a proximity sensor capable of detecting the presence of an individual in at least one proximity zone and further comprising at least one individual iconic instruction corresponding to said proximity zone.
Specification