Automatic portable door operating system

• US 20050091928A1
• Filed: 09/03/2004
• Published: 05/05/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 09/03/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: 4378580 Canada, Inc.
• Original Assignee: DPNKD Holdings, Inc.
• Inventors: Okulov, Paul D., Zouak, Amir
• Granted Patent: US 7,373,756 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 49/341
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/00 Power-operated mechanisms for wings motor-operated accessories in locks for completing closing or initiating opening of a wing E05B17/00
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/40 Safety devices, e.g. detection of obstructions or end positions
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/41 Detection by monitoring transmitted force or torque E05F15/48 takes precedence; Safety couplings with activation dependent upon torque or force, e.g. slip couplings
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/619 using flexible or rigid rack-and-pinion arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/622 using screw-and-nut mechanisms
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/624 using friction wheels
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/63 operated by swinging arms
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/74 using photoelectric cells
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 3/22 Additional arrangements for closers, e.g. for holding the wing in opened or other position
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 3/227 mounted at the top of wings, e.g. details related to closer housings, covers, end caps or rails therefor
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2201/214 Disengaging means
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2201/236 using force or torque
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2201/47 Springs
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2400/53 Wing impact prevention or reduction
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2400/614 charging thereof
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2400/86 by hand
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2600/13 by motors, magnets, springs or weights
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2800/246 with at least one element being redundant
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2800/252 the elements functioning only in case of emergency
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/112 for restrooms
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/132 : Doors

Abstract

The present invention relates to a door operating system for controlling the movement of a door, more particularly to “no touch” door openers for public washrooms and households. The system has a motor with a gear chain where the high gear is generally semicircularly shaped engaged with a swinging arm coupled with the door through the roller and a pilot plate. The unit is activated upon receipt of the signal from overhead passive infrared or hand proximity detecting sensors and has a controlling system to provide for opening and closing the door, as well as retraction of the arm in the event of door encountering an obstacle or in an overload condition of the motor. The arm and a gear are linked pivotally with each other and with the unit housing. They are coupled through a spring suspension system and have a clutch mechanism preventing overloading. The only external moving part is the arm, which is, along with geared sector, protected by a flexible member providing security to prevent accidental jamming of objects by it. The unit may be battery operated with a low voltage and low power AC/DC switching wall adapter. In autonomous operation it can provide up to 700 opening cycles without external power.

Claims

1. An automatic portable door operating system for controlling the movement of a door, said system comprising:

a housing;

an arm extending from said housing having a free end for contacting a door for opening and releasing of said door, said arm being independent of said door;

motion transmission means connected to said arm for imparting movement to said arm;

a motor for providing movement to said motion transmission means;

sensor means for actuating said system;

a power supply for supplying power to said motor; and

control means for controlling said motor.

2. The system as set forth in claim 1, wherein said motion transmission means include worm gear and a sectored gear, said worm gear linked with said sectored gear.

3. The system as set forth in claim 1, wherein said motion transmission means includes suspension means.

4. The system as set forth in claim 2, wherein said sectored gear is secured to said arm, said arm movably connected to said housing.

5. The system as set forth in claim 1, wherein said sectored gear is connected at a second point to said arm by a suspension system.

6. The system as set forth in claim 5, wherein said suspension system includes spring means connected between said arm and said sectored gear for dampening load experienced by said system when said arm contacts a door.

7. The system as set forth in claim 1, wherein said sectored gear comprises a semicircular gear.

8. The system as set forth in claim 1, wherein said system further includes an interrupt arrangement for interrupting said motor when said arm is fully retracted or when at least one of said geared sector or said arm become jammed.

9. The system as set forth in claim 8, wherein said interrupt arrangement includes first switch means and second switch means for responding to movement of said arm.

10. The system as set forth in claim 8, wherein said interrupt arrangement further includes a flexible plate mounted within said housing responsive to motion of said sectored gear.

11. The system as set forth in claim 10, wherein said flexible plate further includes a soft pad extending toward said arm.

12. The system as set forth in claim 10, wherein said second switch means is mounted within said housing adjacent said flexible plate.

13. The system as set forth in claim 1, wherein said free end of said arm includes a low friction means for providing sliding contact against a door.

14. The system as set forth in claim 1, wherein said free end of said arm includes a roller for contact against a door.

22. The system as set forth in claim 1, wherein said system further includes a strike plate on said door for contact with said free end of said arm.

25. The system as set forth in claim 22, wherein said strike plate has guide means for providing guided slidable movement of said arm.

15. An automatic portable door operating system for controlling the movement of a door, said system comprising:

a housing;

a pair of motors having a common axle, said axle being threaded;

a carrier reciprocally movable on said axle in response to actuation of said motors;

an arm extending from said housing having a free end for contacting a door for opening and closing said door, said arm being independent of said door;

linkage means connecting said arm and said carrier;

sensor means for actuating said system;

a power supply for supplying power to said motor; and

control means for controlling said motor.

16. The system as set forth in claim 15, wherein said carrier is pivotally connected to said linkage means.

17. The system as set forth in claim 15, wherein said housing includes rails for guiding movement of said carrier.

23. The system as set forth in claim 15, wherein said system further includes a strike plate on said door for contact with said free end of said arm.

18. An automatic portable door operating system, comprising in combination:

a door;

a frame within which said door is movably mounted;

a door opening arrangement mounted proximate to said frame, said arrangement comprising;

a housing;

an arm pivotally connected to said housing having a free end for contacting said door for opening and closing of said door, said arm being independent of said door;

gear means connected to said arm for imparting movement to said arm;

a motor for providing movement to said gear means;

sensor means for actuating said system;

a power supply for supplying power to said motor; and

control means for controlling said motor.

19. The door operating system as set forth in claim 18, wherein said gear means is connected to a free end of said arm and are in meshing engagement with a surface of said door.

20. The door operating system as set forth in claim 18, wherein said housing includes a hinge attached to said frame.

24. The system as set forth in claim 18, wherein said system further includes a strike plate on said door for contact with said free end of said arm.

26. The system as set forth in claim 24, wherein said strike plate has teeth or slots meshing with said gear means.

21. An automatic portable door operating system, comprising in combination:

a door;

a frame within which said door is movably mounted;

a door opening arrangement mounted proximate to said frame, said arrangement comprising;

a housing;

a pair of motors having a common axle, said axle being threaded;

a carrier reciprocally movable on said axle in response to actuation of said motors;

an arm extending from said housing having a free end for contacting a door for opening and closing said door, said arm being independent of said door;

linkage means connecting said arm and said carrier;

sensor means for actuating said system;

a power supply for supplying power to said motor; and

control means for controlling said motor.

27. A portable door operating system having a door and a door frame, both constituting a swinging pair;

an arm pivotally linked at one end to one of said door and said frame and slideably engaged to another member of said door and said frame;

driving means having a motor and gear means connected to one end of said arm, said system further including a power supply, sensing means, and controlling means, wherein;

said power supply includes means for recharging for delivering power at least sufficient for opening said door and a source of replenishing power for said means for recharging sufficient to drive said door operating system continuously.

28. The door operating system as set forth in claim 27, wherein said amount of recharging power is distributed in two allotments including a first higher impulse having a duration lasting at least as long as a door opening cycle and a lower portion lasting continuously.

29. The door operating system as set forth in claim 27, wherein said source is a DC switching power adaptor with input AC voltage in the range of between 100 and 240 V.

30. The door operating system as set forth in claim 27, wherein said rechargeable means is a rechargeable battery.

31. The door operating system as set forth in claim 27, wherein said rechargeable means is an ultra capacitor.

32. The door operating system as set forth in claim 27, wherein said rechargeable means includes controlling means, providing, upon depletion of charge, operation for door closure.