Adjustable height sensing edge for a door

• US 5,921,026 A
• Filed: 02/13/1997
• Issued: 07/13/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 06/07/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Miller Edge, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Miller Edge, Inc.
• Inventors: Miller, Bearge D.
• Primary Examiner(s): REDMAN, JERRY E
• Application Number:
  US08/776,796
• Time in Patent Office: 880 Days
• Field of Search: 49/26, 49/27, 49/28, 200/61.43
• US Class Current: 49/27
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/42 Detection using safety edges
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/44 responsive to changes in electrical conductivity
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/47 responsive to changes in fluid pressure
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/668 for overhead wings
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2400/512 of electric power
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2400/52 Safety arrangements Safety means for manual wing operation E05Y2800/116
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2400/612 Batteries
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2400/66 Wireless transmission
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2600/40 Mounting location; Visibility of the elements
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2600/46 in or on the wing
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2800/254 the elements not functioning in case of emergency
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/106 for garages

Abstract

An adjustable height sensing edge for a door to protect persons, equipment and the door from impact damage from closing movement of the door by actuating a stopping device upon detecting an object in contact with the sensing edge, the device stopping the closing movement of the door. The adjustable-height sensing edge comprises a base member having opposing first and second surfaces. The first surface of the base member is adapted for attachment to the door. A first sensorless compressible spacer member having opposing first and second sides is provided. The first side of the sensorless spacer member is attached to the base member. A force sensor is provided for sensing the object in contact with the sensing edge and activating the stopping device. The force sensor has opposing first and second sides, with the first side of the force sensor being connected to the second surface of the base member.

Claims

1. A protective outer sheath for a sensing edge which is attached to a door edge to protect persons, equipment and the door from impact damage from closing movement of the door by actuating a device upon detecting an object in contact with the sensing edge to halt the closing movement of the door, the protective outer sheath providing protection for the sensing edge from abrasion damage, the protective outer sheath comprising:

a flexible, elongate wall having a first end and a second end, the first and second ends being attached to the door such that the sensing edge is covered by the wall, the flexible, elongate wall having an inner surface, which is positioned adjacent to the sensing edge, and an outer surface, and a plurality of ribs disposed longitudinally along the outer surface.

2. The protective outer sheath of claim 1 wherein the protective outer sheath further includes at least one connector member.

3. The protective outer sheath of claim 1 wherein the ribs are configured as connectors for attaching the sheath to the door.

4. An adjustable height sensing edge for a door to protect persons, equipment and the door from impact damage from closing movement of the door by actuating a stopping device upon detecting an object in contact with the sensing edge, the stopping device stopping the closing movement of the door, the adjustable height sensing edge comprising:

a first sensorless compressible spacer member having opposing first and second sides, the first side of the sensorless spacer member being adapted for attachment to the door;

a second sensorless compressible spacer member connected to the first sensorless compressible spacer member, the second spacer member having opposing first and second sides, the first side of the second spacer member being connected to the second side of the first spacer member, the first and second spacer elements being interchangeable; and

a force sensor for sensing the object in contact with the sensing edge and activating the stopping device, the force sensor having opposing first and second sides, the first side of the force sensor being connected to the second side of the second sensorless compressible spacer member.

5. The adjustable height sensing edge of claim 4 further comprising a base member attached to the first side of the spacer member and having opposing first and second surfaces, the first surface of the base member being adapted for attachment to the door.

6. The adjustable height sensing edge of claim 5 wherein the first side of the spacer member includes a connector attachment of a first type, and the second side of the spacer member includes a connector attachment of a second type, and wherein the base member further includes a connector attachment of the second type on the second surface of the base member, the spacer member being connected to the base member by engagement of the connector attachment of the first type on first side of the spacer member engaging the connector attachment of the second type on the second surface of the base member;

and wherein

the first side of the force sensor includes a connector attachment of the first type, the force sensor being attached to the spacer member by the connector attachment of the first type on the first side of the force sensor engaging the connector attachment of the second type on the second side of the spacer member.

7. The adjustable height sensing edge of claim 6 wherein the connector attachment of the first type comprises a male connector member and the connector attachment of the second type comprises a female connector channel.

8. The adjustable height sensing edge of claim 6 wherein the connector attachment of the first type comprises two male connector members and the connector attachment of the second type comprises two female connector channels.

9. The adjustable height sensing edge of claim 4 wherein the spacer member is made from a resilient material.

10. The adjustable height sensing edge of claim 4 wherein the force sensor is an electrical switch.

11. The adjustable height sensing edge of claim 4 wherein the force sensor is a pneumatic switch.

12. An adjustable height sensing edge for a door to protect persons, equipment and the door from impact damage from closing movement of the door by actuating a stopping device upon detecting an object in contact with the sensing edge, the stopping device stopping the closing movement of the door, the adjustable height sensing edge comprising:

at least a first sensorless compressible spacer member having opposing first and second sides;

a base member attached to the first side of the spacer member and having opposing first and second surfaces, the first surface of the base member being adapted for attachment to the door for attaching the first side of the sensorless spacer member to the door;

a force sensor for sensing the object in contact with the sensing edge and activating the stopping device, the force sensor having opposing first and second sides, the first side of the force sensor being connected to the second side of the first sensorless compressible spacer member; and

a protective outer sheath which covers the first sensorless compressible spacer member and the force sensor, the protective outer sheath including a flexible, elongate wall having a first end and a second end, the first and second ends being attached to one of the door, the base member and the first sensorless compressible spacer member, the protective outer sheath has an inner surface and an outer surface, and wherein the protective outer sheath further comprises a plurality of ribs disposed longitudinally on one of the inner and outer surfaces.

13. The adjustable height sensing edge of claim 12 wherein the protective outer sheath further includes at least one connector member.

14. The adjustable height sensing edge of claim 12 wherein the ribs are configured as connectors for attaching the sheath to one of the door, the base member and the first sensorless compressible spacer member.

15. The adjustable height sensing edge of claim 12 wherein the first sensorless compressible spacer member includes third and fourth sides connected between opposite ends of the first and second sides, and the first and second ends of the protective outer sheath are connected to the third and fourth sides of the first sensorless compressible spacer member.