Passive detection system for detecting a body near a door

• US 7,045,764 B2
• Filed: 10/17/2002
• Issued: 05/16/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 10/17/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Rite-Hite Holding Corporation
• Original Assignee: Rite-Hite Holding Corporation
• Inventors: Boerger, James C., Beggs, Ryan P., Paruch, Lucas I.
• Primary Examiner(s): Luu, Thanh X.
• Application Number:
  US10/272,748
• Publication Number:
  US 20040075046A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,307 Days
• Field of Search: 250/221, 250/222.1, 340/540, 340/541, 340550-567, 340/545.1, 340/545.3
• US Class Current: 250/221
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/43 responsive to disruption of energy beams, e.g. light or sound
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/73 responsive to movement or presence of persons or objects
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 2015/436 the beam being parallel to the wing edge
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2600/45 in or on the fixed frame
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/00 Application of doors, windows, wings or fittings thereof
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/106 for garages
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 2009/6836 sensing obstacle
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 3/48 Wings connected at their edges, e.g. foldable wings
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 9/13 with closing members of one piece, e.g. of corrugated sheet metal
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 9/68 Operating devices or mechanisms, e.g. with electric drive

Abstract

A detection system for detecting a body near a doorway includes two detectors having one or more activation lines that overlap each other. With certain mounting arrangements, the detectors cover areas within and on both sides of the doorway. The detectors are meant to help prevent an already open door from accidentally closing on the body. The door is powered by a drive unit that ignores the detectors when the door is closed.

Claims

1. A detection system for detecting a body near a door, the door having a path of vertical travel that is adjacent to a doorway defined by a lintel, a right lateral edge and a left lateral edge, the detection system comprising:

a first stationary and passive remote body detector adjacent to the right lateral edge of the doorway and having a first activation area; and

a second stationary and passive remote body detector adjacent to left lateral edge of the doorway and having a second activation area wherein at least one of the first activation area and the second activation area extends through the path of vertical travel when the door is open, and wherein the first and second activation areas overlap to define an overlapping activation area.

2. The detection system of claim 1, wherein the first activation area extends completely through the path of vertical travel.

3. The detection system of claim 1, wherein the first passive remote body detector also has a lower activation area that extends below the first activation area.

4. The detection system of claim 1, further comprising a drive unit coupled to the door and selectively responsive to at least one of the first and second passive remote body detectors, such that the drive unit interrupts the door when at least one of the first and second activation areas is disturbed and the door is above a predetermined intermediate position, and the drive unit is unresponsive to the first passive remote body detector when the door is below a predetermined intermediate position.

5. The detection system of claim 1, wherein the overlapping activation area extends into the path of vertical travel.