Hands-free door opener and method
First Claim
1. An apparatus for automatically opening a swinging door, the apparatus comprising:
- an actuator having at least one proximity sensor for detecting at least one proximity zone;
a display operable with the actuator, the display providing an iconic instruction for an individual to perform an affirmative action so as to cause the at least one proximity sensor to activate the actuator;
a control unit in electronic communication with the actuator; and
a power assisted drive mechanism in electronic communication with the control unit, wherein the power assisted drive mechanism operates to open the door through activation of a conventional door closer.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus for automatically opening a swinging restroom door is provided. The apparatus comprises an actuator, a control unit, and a power assisted drive mechanism that can be connected to an existing door closing mechanism. The actuator comprises a proximity sensor and further comprises a series of iconic symbols corresponding to predetermined proximity zones. The control unit is in electronic communication with the actuator with which signals are exchanged. The power assisted drive mechanism is in electronic communication with the control unit and can be connected to an existing door closing mechanism wherein the actions of the door closing mechanism are reversed and the door is opened.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. An apparatus for automatically opening a swinging door, the apparatus comprising:
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an actuator having at least one proximity sensor for detecting at least one proximity zone; a display operable with the actuator, the display providing an iconic instruction for an individual to perform an affirmative action so as to cause the at least one proximity sensor to activate the actuator; a control unit in electronic communication with the actuator; and a power assisted drive mechanism in electronic communication with the control unit, wherein the power assisted drive mechanism operates to open the door through activation of a conventional door closer. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 16)
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7. A method of automatically opening a swinging door, the method comprising:
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operating an actuator having a proximity sensor and a display, a control unit in electronic communication with the actuator, and a power assisted drive mechanism in electronic communication with the control unit, wherein said power assisted drive mechanism operates to automatically open a door through activation of a door closer; providing an iconic instruction for an individual to perform an affirmative action so as to cause the door to automatically open, wherein the affirmative action includes waving a hand proximate the sensor; and automatically opening the door using the power assisted drive mechanism responsive to the affirmative action. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 17)
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12. An actuator comprising:
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a proximity sensor for detecting a presence of an individual in at least one proximity zone, wherein the at least one proximity zone is within a preset distance for an individual from the proximity sensor; a display operable with the proximity sensor, the display providing at least one iconic instruction corresponding to the at least one proximity zone, wherein the at least one iconic instruction includes an affirmative action to be performed by the individual, and wherein the affirmative action activates a control unit for sending an electronic signal to a power assisted drive mechanism for engaging a door opening mechanism, thereby allowing the door opening mechanism to control a speed of movement for the door. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15)
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18. An apparatus for automatically opening a swinging door, the apparatus comprising:
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an actuator having at least one proximity sensor for detecting at least one proximity zone, wherein the at least one proximity sensor detects the proximity of an individual; a display operable with the actuator, the display providing an iconic instruction for an individual to perform an affirmative action so as to cause the at least one proximity sensor to activate the actuator, wherein the display provides iconic instructions to an individual based on the proximity of the individual to the at least one proximity sensor, and wherein the display provides an audible signal based on the proximity of the individual to the actuator; a control unit in electronic communication with the actuator; and a power assisted drive mechanism in electronic communication with the control unit, wherein the power assisted drive mechanism operates to open the door through activation of a conventional door closer.
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19. An actuator comprising:
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a proximity sensor for detecting a presence of an individual in at least one proximity zone, wherein the at least one proximity zone is within a preset distance for an individual from the proximity sensor, and wherein the at least one proximity zone comprises at least first and second proximity zones, and wherein an individual'"'"'s presence in the first zone initiates an iconic signal to draw an individual'"'"'s attention to the proximity sensor; and a display operable with the proximity sensor, the display providing at least one iconic instruction corresponding to the at least one proximity zone, wherein the at least one iconic instruction includes an affirmative action to be performed in proximity to the proximity sensor by the individual, and wherein the affirmative action activates a control unit for sending an electronic signal to a power assisted drive mechanism for engaging a door opening mechanism, thereby allowing the door opening mechanism to control a speed of movement for the door.
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Specification