Door Safety System

• US 20090260289A1
• Filed: 04/18/2008
• Published: 10/22/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 04/18/2008
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Big Pine Innovations, LLC
• Original Assignee: Big Pine Innovations, LLC
• Inventors: Whelihan, David, Carpenter, Michael
• Application Number:
  US12/105,400
• Publication Number:
  US 20090260289A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 49/26
• 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 15/42 Detection using safety edges
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/70 with automatic actuation
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 2015/483 for detection during opening
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 5/00 Braking devices, e.g. checks; Stops; Buffers construction of pneumatic or liquid braking devices E05F3/00; braking devices, buffers or end stops on drawers for tables, cabinets or like furniture A47B88/473; combined with devices for holding wings open E05C17/00; devices for limiting opening of wings or for holding wings open by a movable member extending between frame and wing E05C17/04
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2201/21 Brakes
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2201/246 by motors, magnets, springs or weights
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2201/25 Force or torque adjustment therefore E05Y2400/21 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2201/256 with pistons or vanes
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2201/26 Mechanical friction
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2201/266 rotary
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2201/462 Electromagnets
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2400/302 during electromotoric braking
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2400/532 Emergency braking
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2400/81 User displays
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2400/816 Voice emitters
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2800/113 Power assistance
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/132 Doors

Abstract

A system and method for minimizing door related injuries are disclosed. Briefly, a mechanism requiring little or no external power is used to vary the force needed to open a door. If an obstruction (i.e. a person, pet, etc) is within the sweep of the opening door, the force needed by the user to push open the door will be increased, to give the user tactile feedback that an accident may be imminent. The feedback mechanism can be implemented in a variety of ways, including embodiments that require no external power or battery. A sensor is used to detect the presence of an obstruction within the sweep of the door. In a further embodiment, a mechanism is used to slow or stop a door from closing if an obstruction (such as a finger) is in the return path of the door.

Claims

1. A system for minimizing potential impacts, when a user opens a door, comprising:

a. A sensor for detecting the presence of an obstruction on the side of the door opposite said user,

b. A feedback device for providing feedback to said user, when an obstruction is detected, and

c. A control unit for receiving input from said sensor and providing input to said feedback device.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said feedback comprises visual means.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein said feedback comprises audio means.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein said feedback comprises tactile means.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein said feedback comprises a vibration of said door.

6. The system of claim 4, wherein said feedback comprises a change in the force required to open said door.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein said feedback device comprises a motor.

8. The system of claim 6, wherein said feedback device comprises two motors.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein said motors are configured so as to oppose each other when said obstruction is detected, so as to increase the force needed to open said door.

10. The system of claim 7, wherein said motor is configured to provide power to said system when said obstruction is not detected.

11. The system of claim 6, wherein said feedback device comprises a cylinder having a viscous fluid and a paddle located within said cylinder.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein said paddle rotates when said obstruction is detected.

13. The system of claim 11, wherein said paddle does not rotate when said obstruction is not detected.

14. A method for minimizing the potential impact, when a user opens a door, comprising:

a. Providing a system comprising a sensor, a feedback device for providing feedback to said user, and a control unit for receiving input from said sensor and providing input to said feedback device;

b. Detecting the presence of an obstruction on the side of the door opposite said user using said sensor,

c. Using said control unit to activate said feedback device; and

d. Using said feedback device to alert said user of said presence.

15. The method of claim 14, whereby said feedback comprises visual means.

16. The method of claim 14, whereby said feedback comprises audio means.

17. The method of claim 14, whereby said feedback comprises tactile means.

18. The method of claim 17, whereby said feedback comprises a vibration of said door.

19. The method of claim 17, whereby said feedback comprises a change in the force required to open said door.

20. The method of claim 19, whereby said feedback device comprises a motor.

21. The method of claim 19, whereby said feedback device comprises two motors.

22. The method of claim 21, further comprising configuring said motors so that they oppose each other when said obstruction is detected, so as to increase the force needed to open said door.

23. The method of claim 20, further comprising configuring said motor to provide power to said system when said obstruction is not detected.

24. The method of claim 19, whereby said feedback device comprises a cylinder having a viscous fluid and a paddle located within said cylinder.

25. The method of claim 24, further comprising rotating said paddle when said obstruction is detected.

26. The method of claim 24, further comprising not rotating said paddle when said obstruction is not detected.