Door warning system

• US 6,292,100 B1
• Filed: 03/20/2000
• Issued: 09/18/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 01/06/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: D2 Technologies, Inc. (Synaptics Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: D2 Technologies, Inc. (Synaptics Incorporated)
• Inventors: Dowling, David Lawrence
• Primary Examiner(s): Hofsass, Jeffery
• Assistant Examiner(s): TANG, SON M
• Application Number:
  US09/528,671
• Time in Patent Office: 547 Days
• Field of Search: 340/545.5, 340/545.1, 340/545.2, 340/545.3, 340/556, 340/545.6
• US Class Current: 340/545.6
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/08 by opening, e.g. of door, of window, of drawer, of shutter, of curtain, of blind
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19 using infrared-radiation detection systems G08B13/194 takes precedence

Abstract

A door warning system comprising a sensor adapted to sense the presence of persons immediately adjacent a first side of a swinging door; an audio or visual alarm responsive to the sensor adapted to advise a person on a second side of the door being opposite the first side of the presence of a person on the first side of the door.

Claims

1. A door warning system, comprising:

a sensor adapted to sense the presence of persons immediately adjacent a first side of a swinging door;

alarm means responsive to the sensor means adapted to advise a person on a second side of the door being opposite the first side of the presence of a person on the first side of the door; and

wherein the door associated with the system is provided with link mean attached to an electrical power generating means adapted to convert one of the opening and closing motion of the door into an appropriate form to drive the electrical power generating means, the electrical power generating means in turn being in communication with a storage battery which powers the sensor and alarm means.

2. A door warning system in accordance with claim 1 hereof wherein the sensor is adapted to scan an area adjacent the floor through which a door may swing plus no more than a further meter past such door path.

3. A door warning system in accordance with claim 1 hereof wherein a radar sensing unit is utilized.

4. A door warning system in accordance with claim 1 hereof wherein an infra-red sensing unit is utilized.

5. A door warning system in accordance with claim 1 hereof wherein the alarm means comprises a light visible to a person approaching a door indicating red in the case where a person is present on the other side of the door and green when a person is not.

6. A door warning system in accordance with claim 1 hereof wherein the alarm means comprises an audio output.

7. A door warning system in accordance with claim 1 hereof wherein there are sensing units and alarm means on each side of the approach to the door in order that persons on either side of the door may be appraised of the status of the area on the opposite side of the door.

8. A door warning system, comprising:

a sensor adapted to sense the presence of persons immediately adjacent a first side of a swinging door;

alarm means responsive to the sensor means adapted to advise a person on a second side of the door being opposite the first side of the presence of a person on the first side of the door; and

wherein the door associated with the system is provided with link means attached to an electrical power generating means adapted to convert the opening motion of the door into an appropriate form to drive the electrical power generating means, the electrical power generating means in turn being in communication with a storage battery which powers the sensor and alarm means; and

biasing means adapted to close the door with the electrical power generating means being used to damp the closing of the door under the influence of the biasing means.

9. A door warning system in accordance with claim 8 hereof wherein the sensor is adapted to scan an area adjacent the floor through which a door may swing plus no more than a further meter past such door path.

10. A door warning system in accordance with claim 8 hereof wherein a radar sensing unit is utilized.

11. A door warning system in accordance with claim 8 hereof wherein an infra-red sensing unit is utilized.

12. A door warning system in accordance with claim 8 hereof wherein the alarm means comprises a light visible to a person approaching a door indicating red in the case where a person is present on the other side of the door and green when a person is not.

13. A door warning system in accordance with claim 8 hereof wherein the alarm means comprises an audio output.

14. A door warning system in accordance with claim 8 hereof wherein there are sensing units and alarm means on each side of the approach to the door in order that persons on either side of the door may be appraised of the status of the area on the opposite side of the door.