Door edge sensing switch with movable wire sheath and adjustable ends

• US 6,600,113 B1
• Filed: 08/29/2002
• Issued: 07/29/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 08/29/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Miller Edge, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Miller Edge, Inc.
• Inventors: Miller, Bearge D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Enad, Elvin
• Assistant Examiner(s): LEE, KYUNG S
• Application Number:
  US10/232,185
• Time in Patent Office: 334 Days
• Field of Search: 200/61.43, 200/61.42, 200/511, 200/86.A, 200/61.44, 200/61.7, 200/61.71, 200/61.73, 49/26, 49/27, 49/28
• US Class Current: 200/61.43
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/44 responsive to changes in electrical conductivity
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 3/142 of the elongated strip type

Abstract

The present invention is a sensing edge for causing a closing door to open by actuating a device upon application of force to the sensing edge. The sensing edge, adjacent to a leading edge surface of the door and compressible upon application of external pressure, includes an elongate outer sheath with a first wall. The first wall and an inner wall, having a first aperture, define a first cavity. A top wall, having a plurality of top wall apertures, extends generally parallel to and is spaced from and secured to the inner wall, defining a second cavity. A sensor is positioned within the first cavity for detecting an external force applied to the sheath. At least one electrical conductor is in electrical communication with the sensor, extending through the first aperture, along the second cavity, and through any one of the top wall apertures for connection with the control device.

Claims

1. A sensing edge for causing a closing door to open by actuating a device upon force being applied to the sensing edge, the door having a leading edge surface, a first lateral side surface, and a second lateral side surface, the first and second lateral side surfaces being oppositely disposed, the door being mounted for movement through a range of motion, the sensing edge comprising:

an elongate outer sheath, positioned adjacent to the leading edge surface of the door and compressible upon application of external pressure, the sheath including a first wall including first and second oppositely disposed surfaces and first and second oppositely disposed ends;

an inner wall extending proximate the first wall, the inner wall being secured to the first wall, the first wall and the inner wall defining a first cavity, the inner wall having a first aperture extending therethrough;

a top wall extending generally parallel to and spaced from the inner wall, the top wall being secured to the inner wall, the top wall and the inner wall defining a second cavity, the top wall having a plurality of top wall apertures extending therethrough;

an elongate sensor positioned within the first cavity for detecting an external force applied to the sheath, the sensor extending substantially along the entire length of the sheath between the first and second surfaces and between the first and second ends; and

at least one electrical conductor in electrical communication with the sensor, the conductor extending through and being sealingly maintained within the first aperture, the conductor extending into the second cavity and being capable of extending through any one of the top wall apertures for connection with the device for controlling actuation of the door when the sensor detects application of force to the sheath.

2. The sensing edge as recited in claim 1, wherein the plurality of top wall apertures includes at least first and second top wall apertures located proximate to the first end and third and fourth top wall apertures located between the first and second top wall apertures and the second end.

3. The sensing edge as recited in claim 1, wherein the top wall includes upper extension members which extend beyond the first and second ends of the sheath.

4. The sensing edge as recited in claim 3, wherein the sensing edge has lower extension members projecting outwardly from both the first and second ends of the sheath, the lower extension members being secured to the upper extension members, whereby, upon installation of the sensing edge on the leading edge surface, the upper and lower extension members are capable of being trimmed to fit the leading edge of the door to which the sensing edge is installed.

5. The sensing edge as recited in claim 1 wherein the at least one electrical conductor comprises first and second electrical conductors in a common protective shield and the sensor comprises:

a first sheet of resiliently compressible material having a first face and a second face, the first face of the first sheet of resiliently compressible material being in engagement with the wall of the sheath;

a first sheet of flexible, electrically conductive material having a first face and a second face, the first face of the first sheet of flexible, electrically conductive material being in engagement with the second face of the first sheet of resiliently compressible material, the first sheet of flexible, electrically conductive material being connected with the first electrical conductor;

a layer of non-conductive material having a first face and a second face, the first face of the layer of non-conductive material being in engagement with the second face of the first sheet of flexible electrically conductive material, the layer of non-conductive material including at least one opening extending therethrough between the first and second faces thereof;

a second sheet of flexible, electrically conductive material having a first face and a second face, the first face of the second sheet of flexible, electrically conductive material being in engagement with the second face of the layer of non-conductive material, the second, sheet of flexible, electrically conductive material being connected with the second electrical conductor;

a second sheet of resiliently compressible material having a first face and a second face, the first face of the second sheet of resiliently compressible material being in engagement with the second face of the second sheet of flexible, electrically conductive material, the second face of the second sheet of resiliently compressible material being in engagement with the wall of the sheath, the first and second sheets of flexible, electrically conductive material being spaced apart by the layer of non-conductive material and presenting opposed portions to each other through the opening whereby upon the application of force to the sheath, a portion of at least one of the first and second sheets of flexible, electrically conductive material deflects into the opening in the layer of non-conductive material and makes electrical contact between the first and second sheets of flexible, electrically conductive material, to thereby actuate the device.

6. A sensing edge for causing a closing door to open by actuating a device upon force being applied to the sensing edge, the door having a leading edge surface, a first lateral side surface, and a second lateral side surface, the first and second lateral side surfaces being oppositely disposed, the door being mounted for movement through a range of motion, the sensing edge comprising:

an elongate outer sheath, positioned adjacent to the leading edge surface of the door and compressible upon application of external pressure, the sheath including a first wall defining a first cavity, the first wall including first and second oppositely disposed surfaces and first and second oppositely disposed ends;

a top wall extending proximate the first wall and being secured to the inner wall, the top wall including upper extension members which extend beyond the first and second ends of the sheath;

lower extension members projecting outwardly from both the first and second ends of the sheath and secured to the upper extension members, whereby, upon installation, the upper and lower extension members can be trimmed to fit the leading edge of the door upon which the sensing edge is installed;

an elongate sensor positioned within the first cavity for detecting an external force applied to the sheath, the sensor extending substantially along the entire length of the sheath between the first and second surfaces and between the first and second ends; and

at least one electrical conductor in electrical communication with the sensor for connection with the device for controlling actuation of the door when the sensor detects application of force to the sheath.

7. The sensing edge as recited in claim 6, wherein the sheath has a first aperture extending therethrough.

8. The sensing edge as recited in claim 7, wherein the top wall has a plurality of top wall apertures extending therethrough.

9. The sensing edge as recited in claim 8, wherein the conductor is sealingly maintained within the first aperture and is capable of extending through any one of the top wall apertures.

10. The sensing edge as recited in claim 6, wherein the at least one electrical conductor comprises first and second electrical conductors in a common protective shell and the sensor comprises:

a first sheet of resiliently compressible material having a first face and a second face, the first face of the first sheet of resiliently compressible material being in engagement with the wall of the sheath;

a first sheet of flexible, electrically conductive material having a first face and a second face, the first face of the first sheet of flexible, electrically conductive material being in engagement with the second face of the first sheet of resiliently compressible material, the first sheet of flexible, electrically conductive material being in electrical communication with the first electrical conductor;

a layer of non-conductive material having a first face and a second face, the first face of the layer of non-conductive material being in engagement with the second face of the first sheet of flexible, electrically conductive material, the layer of non-conductive material including at least one opening extending therethrough between the first and second faces thereof;

a second sheet of flexible, electrically conductive material having a first face and a second face, the first face of the second sheet of flexible, electrically conductive material being in engagement with the second face of the layer of non-conductive material, the second sheet of flexible, electrically conductive material being in electrical communication with the second electrical conductor;

a second sheet of resiliently compressible material having a first face and a second face, the first face of the second sheet of resiliently compressible material being in engagement with the second face of the second sheet of flexible, electrically conductive material, the second face of the second sheet of resiliently compressible material being in engagement with the wall of the sheath, the first and second sheets of flexible, electrically conductive material being spaced apart by the layer of non-conductive material and presenting opposed portions to each other through the opening whereby upon the application of force to the sheath, a portion of at least one of the first and second sheets of flexible, electrically conductive material deflects into the opening in the layer of non-conductive material and makes electrical contact between the first and second sheets of flexible, electrically conductive material, to thereby actuate the device.