Obstruction sensing edge for a bifolding door
First Claim
1. A fluid pressure sensitive edge assembly for an electrically operated door comprising:
- a channel portion for securement to said door;
a first hollow body portion adjacent said channel portion defining an enclosed fluid chamber including fluid therein;
a first edge member defined on said first body portion and extending therefrom substantially along the plane defined by said door;
a second hollow body portion defining a second enclosed fluid chamber, a second edge member defined on said second body portion extending along said plane, and fluid actuated switch means for opening said door upon engagement of one of said first and second edge members with an obstruction during the operating cycle of said door causing deformation of one of said first and second fluid chambers and means for communicating said fluid chambers to said switch,said second edge member adapted to be positioned adjacent and overlapping said first edge member upon said door being closed;
one of said first and second edge members including at least one rib member extending transverse to said one of said first and second edge members and abutting said other of said first and second edge members upon closure of said door thereby providing a seal between said first and second edge members.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
An obstruction sensing edge for a bifolding door includes a body secured to the door. The body defines an internal fluid chamber that is in fluid communication with a fluid actuated switch. The switch controls the opening and closing of the door. Defined on the body portion is an edge portion including a leading edge and side portions extending from the leading edge to the body portion. The leading edge and body portion are fabricated of elastomeric material such that upon engagement of the leading edge with an obstruction, the internal chamber is deformed changing the volume thereof and actuating the switch. The edge portion includes elongated fins extending transversely to the sides of the edge portion such that upon complete closing of the door, the fins seal the door.
39 Citations
8 Claims
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1. A fluid pressure sensitive edge assembly for an electrically operated door comprising:
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a channel portion for securement to said door; a first hollow body portion adjacent said channel portion defining an enclosed fluid chamber including fluid therein; a first edge member defined on said first body portion and extending therefrom substantially along the plane defined by said door;
a second hollow body portion defining a second enclosed fluid chamber, a second edge member defined on said second body portion extending along said plane, and fluid actuated switch means for opening said door upon engagement of one of said first and second edge members with an obstruction during the operating cycle of said door causing deformation of one of said first and second fluid chambers and means for communicating said fluid chambers to said switch,said second edge member adapted to be positioned adjacent and overlapping said first edge member upon said door being closed; one of said first and second edge members including at least one rib member extending transverse to said one of said first and second edge members and abutting said other of said first and second edge members upon closure of said door thereby providing a seal between said first and second edge members. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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4. The sensor claimed in claim 4 further comprising second means for communicating said second fluid chamber with said fluid actuated switch means.
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5. An obstruction sensor for an automatic door that remains sensitive to obstruction throughout the door closing operation comprising:
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a deformable body portion fabricated of resilient material secured to said door, said body portion defining an interior fluid chamber; said body portion including an edge member defined by a leading edge and said members extending from said leading edge to said body portion, said side members being in a plane substantially parallel to the plane defined by said door, said edge member being deformable upon engagement of said leading edge with an obstruction during closing of said door to change the volume of said fluid chamber;
fluid operated switch means for controlling the operation of said door and means for communicating said switch means with said fluid chamber, andmeans secured to said edge member and extending transverse to at least one of said side members for sealing said door in the closed position upon overlapping of said edge member with a portion of said door, said sealing means being sufficiently resilient that upon engagement with an obstruction will not change the volume of said chamber during closing of said door. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7)
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8. An obstruction sensing edge assembly for a bifolding door including first and second door portions comprising:
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a first deformable obstruction sensing edge member secured to the leading edge of said first door portion; said first deformable edge member fabricated of a resilient material including a body, said body defining an internal fluid chamber; said first edge member further including a leading edge portion defined on said body, said leading edge portion extending from said body along a plane substantially parallel to said first door portion; a second deformable obstruction sensing edge member secured to the leading edge of said second door portion; said second deformable edge member fabricated of a resilient material including a body, said body defining an internal fluid chamber; said second edge member further including a leading edge portion defined on said body, said leading edge portion extending from said body along a plane substantially parallel to said second door portion;
fluid operated switch means for controlling the operating cycle of said door and a fluid conduit communicating said switch means with said chambers of said first and second edge members such that upon contact of said leading edge portions with an object, one of said fluid chambers is deformed changing the volume of said fluid chamber and actuating said switch means; andat least one sealing fin defined on one of said first and second edge members, said fin extending transversely to said leading edge portion of said one of said first and second deformable edge members, said leading edges of portions of said first and second deformable edges overlapping and said fin engaging the other of said one of said first and second deformable edge members upon said door being closed.
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Specification