BARRIER SYSTEMS AND ASSOCIATED METHODS, INCLUDING VAPOR AND/OR FIRE BARRIER SYSTEMS WITH MANUAL EGRESS
First Claim
1. A smoke barrier system usable adjacent to a passageway in a structure, comprising:
- a smoke barrier configured to move between a deployed position covering the passageway and a retracted position not covering the passageway;
a drive system configured to actively drive the smoke barrier toward each of the deployed position and the retracted position; and
a clutch operably interconnecting the drive system and the smoke barrier, the clutch being movable between engaged and released positions, in the engaged position the clutch interconnects the drive system with the barrier to allow the drive system to actively drive the smoke barrier to and from the deployed position during a first condition, and wherein the drive system restricts manual movement of the smoke barrier away from the deployed position when the clutch is in the engaged position, and in the released position the clutch disconnects the drive system from the smoke barrier during a second condition and the smoke barrier will remain in at least one of the deployed position and an intermediate position between the deployed and retracted positions independent of operation of the drive system, and the smoke barrier is manually movable to and from the deployed position independent of operation of the drive system.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Barrier systems and associated methods, including vapor and/or fire barrier systems, are disclosed herein. One aspect of the invention is directed toward a barrier system that includes a barrier coupled to a spool, and a drive system. The barrier is positioned to be wound onto and off of the spool as the barrier moves between a deployed position and a retracted position by the drive assembly. The system further includes a clutch configured to resist movement of the barrier system unless directed by the drive system, and to release the barrier to allow manual egress when power to the drive system fails. The system further includes a latch configured to retain the barrier in a retracted position and to prevent the barrier from deploying when power fails and the clutch releases.
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Citations
37 Claims
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1. A smoke barrier system usable adjacent to a passageway in a structure, comprising:
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a smoke barrier configured to move between a deployed position covering the passageway and a retracted position not covering the passageway; a drive system configured to actively drive the smoke barrier toward each of the deployed position and the retracted position; and a clutch operably interconnecting the drive system and the smoke barrier, the clutch being movable between engaged and released positions, in the engaged position the clutch interconnects the drive system with the barrier to allow the drive system to actively drive the smoke barrier to and from the deployed position during a first condition, and wherein the drive system restricts manual movement of the smoke barrier away from the deployed position when the clutch is in the engaged position, and in the released position the clutch disconnects the drive system from the smoke barrier during a second condition and the smoke barrier will remain in at least one of the deployed position and an intermediate position between the deployed and retracted positions independent of operation of the drive system, and the smoke barrier is manually movable to and from the deployed position independent of operation of the drive system. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A barrier system, comprising:
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a spool positioned in a housing with a flexible barrier coupled to the spool, the barrier being configured to deploy by winding onto and off of the spool when the spool rotates; a drive system configured to activate in response to an activation signal and to rotate the spool to deploy the barrier when active, wherein the drive system comprises a clutch configured to resist rotation not initiated by the drive system, and wherein the clutch is configured to release the spool when power to the drive system is unavailable; and a biasing manual assist member coupled to the barrier in an energized position when the barrier is deployed such that when power is unavailable the biasing member urges the barrier toward the spool when the clutch is in the released position and during manual movement of the smoke barrier away from a deployed position. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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27. A vapor passage inhibition system usable adjacent to a passageway in a structure, comprising:
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means for detecting the presence of at least one harmful vapor; a barrier configured to move between a deployed position covering the passageway and a retracted position not covering the passageway; means for driving the barrier toward each of the deployed position and the retracted position, wherein the barrier is driven toward the deployed position in response to a detected condition potentially related to presence of at least one harmful vapor; and means for coupling the means for driving to the barrier, wherein the means for coupling is configured to release the means for driving only when power to the means for driving is unavailable and to allow manual movement of the barrier away from the deployed position. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30)
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31. A method of inhibiting passage of vapor through a passageway, comprising:
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receiving an activation signal; actuating a powered drive system to deploy a barrier into the passageway in response to the activation signal, wherein the drive system comprises a clutch configured to resist movement of the barrier except as directed by the drive system; and releasing the clutch when power to the drive system is unavailable, such that the barrier may be manually moved independent of operation of the drive system. - View Dependent Claims (32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37)
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Specification