DOOR CONTROL APPARATUS
First Claim
1. A door control apparatus in electrical communication with an electromechanical door holder for operative connection to a hinged door, the electromechanical door holder including a solenoid operable to close a valve to prevent the flow of hydraulic fluid in a reservoir to cause the hinged door to stay open, the hinged door being above a floor and pivotally movable between a closed position and a fully open position, being released by a person manually opening the door to a release position anywhere in an open position, and being mounted to a structure surrounding the door in the closed position, the structure including a door frame and a wall, the door control apparatus comprising:
- control circuitry; and
a sensor adapted to detect a person, object, or both in a first designated area proximate to the door, the sensor connected to the control circuitry, wherein the sensor is operable to signal the control circuitry upon a detection event,wherein upon a detection event the control circuitry is operable to signal the solenoid to close the valve and cause the electromechanical door holder to hold the door open in the release position.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A door control apparatus and methods for controlling a door motion device for a hinged door and, optionally, illuminating a designated area on the floor. During the time the designated area is illuminated, a person can expect that the door will not close. The door control apparatus may include control circuitry, and a sensor, and optionally a light emitter and/or a sound emitter. The sensor detects a person proximate to the door and signals the control circuitry upon a detection event. The light emitter is also connected to the control circuitry. Upon a detection event, the control circuitry signals the light emitter to produce light and signals the door motion device to hold the door open. The light emitter directs light to form an image on the floor in the designated area. The light emitter may be, for example, a laser generator or a light emitting diode lamp.
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Citations
42 Claims
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1. A door control apparatus in electrical communication with an electromechanical door holder for operative connection to a hinged door, the electromechanical door holder including a solenoid operable to close a valve to prevent the flow of hydraulic fluid in a reservoir to cause the hinged door to stay open, the hinged door being above a floor and pivotally movable between a closed position and a fully open position, being released by a person manually opening the door to a release position anywhere in an open position, and being mounted to a structure surrounding the door in the closed position, the structure including a door frame and a wall, the door control apparatus comprising:
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control circuitry; and a sensor adapted to detect a person, object, or both in a first designated area proximate to the door, the sensor connected to the control circuitry, wherein the sensor is operable to signal the control circuitry upon a detection event, wherein upon a detection event the control circuitry is operable to signal the solenoid to close the valve and cause the electromechanical door holder to hold the door open in the release position. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 37, 40)
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16. A door motion controller for applying force to a hinged door, the hinged door being above a floor and pivotally movable between a closed position and a fully open position, being released by a person manually opening the door to a release position anywhere in an open position, and being mounted to a structure surrounding the door in the closed position, the structure including a door frame and a wall, comprising:
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an electromechanical door holder adapted to operatively connect to the hinged door, the electromechanical door holder including a solenoid operable to close a valve to prevent the flow of hydraulic fluid in a reservoir to cause the hinged door to stay open; and a door control apparatus adapted to be in electrical communication with the electromechanical door holder, the door control apparatus comprising; control circuitry; and a sensor adapted to detect a person, object, or both in a first designated area proximate to the door, the sensor connected to the control circuitry, wherein the sensor is operable to signal the control circuitry upon a detection event, wherein upon a detection event the control circuitry is operable to signal solenoid to close the valve and cause the electromechanical door holder to hold the door open at the release position. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 38, 41)
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31. A door assembly, the assembly being positioned above a floor proximate to a structure including a door frame and wall, comprising:
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a hinged door pivotally movable between a closed position and a fully open position, and being mounted to the structure surrounding the door in the closed position; a door motion device operatively connected to the hinged door; and a door control apparatus in electrical communication with the door motion device comprising; control circuitry; a sensor adapted to detect a person, object, or both in a first designated area proximate to the door, the sensor connected to the control circuitry, wherein the sensor signals the control circuitry upon a detection event; and a light emitter for directing light to form an image on the floor in a second designated area, wherein when the second designated area is illuminated, the door is not in the process of closing, the light emitter connected to the control circuitry, wherein upon a detection event the control circuitry signals the light emitter to turn on the light and signals the door motion device to hold the door open. - View Dependent Claims (39, 42)
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32. A method of operating a hinged door using an electromechanical door holder, the electromechanical door holder including a solenoid operable to close a valve to prevent the flow of hydraulic fluid in a reservoir to cause the hinged door to stay open, the hinged door being above a floor and pivotally movable between a closed position and a fully open position, being released by a person manually opening the door to a release position anywhere in an open position, and being mounted to a structure surrounding the door in the closed position, the structure including a door frame and a wall, the method comprising:
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a sensor detecting a person, object, the door moving to an open position, or a combination thereof in a first designated area, the sensor signaling control circuitry; a timer in the control circuitry starting; the control circuitry signaling the solenoid to close the valve and cause the electromechanical door holder to hold the door open or to open the door; and the electromechanical door holder maintaining the door in an open position at the release position. - View Dependent Claims (33, 34, 35)
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36. A door assembly, the assembly being positioned above a floor proximate to a structure including a door frame and wall, comprising:
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a hinged door pivotally movable between a closed position and a fully open position, being released by a person manually opening the door to a release position anywhere in an open position, and being mounted to the structure surrounding the door in the closed position; an electromechanical door holder operatively connected to the hinged door;
the electromechanical door holder including a solenoid operable to close a valve to prevent the flow of hydraulic fluid in a reservoir to cause the hinged door to stay open, anda door control apparatus in electrical communication with the door motion device comprising; control circuitry; and a sensor adapted to detect a person, object, or both in a first designated area proximate to the door, the sensor connected to the control circuitry, wherein the sensor signals the control circuitry upon a detection event, wherein upon a detection event the control circuitry signals the solenoid to close the valve and cause the electromechanical door holder to hold the door open at the release position.
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Specification