Hands-free door opener and method

• US 6,967,587 B2
• Filed: 09/22/2003
• Issued: 11/22/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 09/22/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Aptec Incorporated, Gale Ventures, LLC
• Original Assignee: Sanidoor LLC
• Inventors: Lemerand, L. Gale, Krawczyk, Todd, Rodriguez, Rafael, Snell, Nathan
• Primary Examiner(s): Hofsass, Jeffery
• Assistant Examiner(s): MEHMOOD, JENNIFER
• Application Number:
  US10/667,817
• Publication Number:
  US 20050073425A1
• Time in Patent Office: 792 Days
• Field of Search: 340/686.6, 340/524, 340/528, 340/815.4, 340/825.36, 340/691.6, 340/545.1, 340/545.3, 340/925, 491/39, 491/40, 49/13, 49/31, 40459-460, 404/63
• US Class Current: 340/686.6
• 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 15/63 operated by swinging arms
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/70 with automatic actuation
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/73 responsive to movement or presence of persons or objects
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 2015/483 for detection during opening
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 3/102 with rack-and-pinion transmission between driving shaft and piston within the closer housing
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 3/224 for assisting in opening the wing
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2201/214 Disengaging means
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2201/24 using lost motion
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2201/41 for closing
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2201/422 for opening
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2201/434 Electromotors; Details thereof
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2400/44 Sensors therefore E05Y2400/322, E05Y2400/33, E05Y2400/55, E05Y2400/56, E05Y2400/852 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2400/445 Switches
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2400/82 Images, Symbols
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/112 for restrooms
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/132 Doors

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.

Claims

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.

2. The automatic door opening apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one proximity sensor detects the proximity of an individual.

3. The automatic door opening apparatus of claim 1, wherein the display provides iconic instructions to an individual based on the proximity of the individual to the at least one proximity sensor.

4. The automatic door opening apparatus of claim 3, wherein the display provides an audible signal based on the proximity of the individual to the actuator.

5. The automatic door opening apparatus of claim 1, wherein the affirmative action comprises waving a hand proximate to the at least one proximity sensor.

6. The automatic door opening apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one proximity sensor is at a sufficient distance from an inwardly swinging door to prevent the individual from impeding an opening of the inwardly swinging door.

16. The automatic door opening apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit is programmed for signaling a ceasing of operation of the door.

7. A method of automatically opening a swinging door, the method comprising:

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.

8. The method of claim 7, comprising the detecting of an individual by the proximity sensor.

9. The method of claim 7, further providing an audible signal based on the proximity of the individual to the actuator.

10. The method of claim 9, further providing an iconic instruction for an individual not to touch the proximity detector.

11. The method of claim 7, further comprising positioning the actuator for preventing the individual from impeding the opening of the door.

17. The method of claim 7, comprising signaling a ceasing of operation of the door responsive to a signal from the control unit.

12. An actuator comprising:

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.

13. The actuator of claim 12, wherein the at least one proximity zone comprises 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 and not touch the proximity sensor.

14. The actuator of claim 13, wherein an individual'"'"'s presence in the second zone initiates an iconic signal instructing the individual to make an affirmative action in proximity to the proximity sensor.

15. The actuator of claim 14, wherein an individual'"'"'s presence in any of the first and second proximity zone initiates an audible signal.

18. 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, 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.

19. An actuator comprising:

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.