Automatic portable door operating system

• US 7,373,756 B2
• Filed: 09/03/2004
• Issued: 05/20/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 09/03/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: 4378580 Canada, Inc.
• Original Assignee: 4378580 Canada, Inc.
• Inventors: Okulov, Paul D., Zouak, Amir
• Primary Examiner(s): REDMAN, JERRY E
• Application Number:
  US10/933,409
• Publication Number:
  US 20050091928A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,355 Days
• Field of Search: 493/39, 493/41, 493/40, 493/46, 493/24, 49/25
• US Class Current: 49/346
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/00 Power-operated mechanisms for wings motor-operated accessories in locks for completing closing or initiating opening of a wing E05B17/00
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/40 Safety devices, e.g. detection of obstructions or end positions
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/41 Detection by monitoring transmitted force or torque E05F15/48 takes precedence; Safety couplings with activation dependent upon torque or force, e.g. slip couplings
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/619 using flexible or rigid rack-and-pinion arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/622 using screw-and-nut mechanisms
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/624 using friction wheels
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/63 operated by swinging arms
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/74 using photoelectric cells
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 3/22 Additional arrangements for closers, e.g. for holding the wing in opened or other position
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 3/227 mounted at the top of wings, e.g. details related to closer housings, covers, end caps or rails therefor
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2201/214 Disengaging means
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2201/236 using force or torque
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2201/47 Springs; Spring tensioners
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2400/53 Wing impact prevention or reduction
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2400/614 charging thereof
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2400/86 by hand
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2600/13 by motors, magnets, springs, weights
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2800/246 with at least one element being redundant
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2800/252 the elements functioning only in case of emergency
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/112 for restrooms
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/132 : Doors

Abstract

The present invention relates to a door operating system for controlling the movement of a door, more particularly to “no touch” door openers for public washrooms and households. The system has a motor with a gear chain where the high gear is generally semicircularly shaped engaged with a swinging arm coupled with the door through the roller and a pilot plate. The unit is activated upon receipt of the signal from overhead passive infrared or hand proximity detecting sensors and has a controlling system to provide for opening and closing the door, as well as retraction of the arm in the event of door encountering an obstacle or in an overload condition of the motor. The arm and a gear are linked pivotally with each other and with the unit housing. They are coupled through a spring suspension system and have a clutch mechanism preventing overloading. The only external moving part is the arm, which is, along with geared sector, protected by a flexible member providing security to prevent accidental jamming of objects by it. The unit may be battery operated with a low voltage and low power AC/DC switching wall adapter. In autonomous operation it can provide up to 700 opening cycles without external power.

Claims

1. An automatic portable door operating system for controlling the movement of a door, said system comprising:

a housing;

an arm extending from said housing having a free end for contacting a door for opening and releasing of said door, said arm being independent of said door;

a worm gear linked with a sectored gear positioned within said housing, said sectored gear connected to said arm at an end other than said free end for imparting movement to said arm, said sectored gear connected at a second point to said arm by a suspension system;

said suspension system connected between said arm and said sectored gear for dampening load experienced by operating said system when said arm contacts a door, said suspension system including spring means connected between said arm and said sectored gear;

a motor connected to said worm gear for providing movement to said sectored gear;

sensor means for actuating said system;

a power supply for supplying power to said motor; and

control means for controlling said motor.

2. The system as set forth in claim 1, wherein said system further includes an interrupt arrangement for interrupting said motor when said arm is fully retracted or when at least one of said geared sector or said arm become jammed.

3. The system as set forth in claim 2, wherein said interrupt arrangement further includes a flexible plate mounted within said housing responsive to motion of said sectored gear.

4. The system as set forth in claim 1, wherein said sectored gear comprises a semicircular gear.

5. The system as set forth in claim 1, wherein said system further includes an interrupt arrangement for interrupting said motor when said arm is fully retracted or when at least one of said geared sector or said arm become jammed.

6. The system as set forth in claim 5, wherein said interrupt arrangement includes first switch means and second switch means for responding to movement of said arm.

7. The system as set forth in claim 5, wherein said interrupt arrangement further includes a flexible plate mounted within said housing responsive to motion of said sectored gear.

8. The system as set forth in claim 7, wherein said flexible plate further includes a soft pad extending toward said arm.

9. The system as set forth in claim 7, wherein said second switch means is mounted within said housing adjacent said flexible plate.

10. The system as set forth in claim 1, wherein said free end of said arm includes a low friction means for providing sliding contact against a door.