Apparatus for automatically opening and closing, locking and unlocking bathroom stall door

• US 8,141,296 B2
• Filed: 11/13/2008
• Issued: 03/27/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 06/09/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Branko Bem
• Original Assignee: Branko Bem
• Inventors: Bem, Branko
• Primary Examiner(s): Mitchell, Katherine W
• Assistant Examiner(s): Ramsey, Jeremy
• Application Number:
  US12/270,138
• Publication Number:
  US 20090300988A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,230 Days
• Field of Search: 49/25, 49/31, 493/33, 493/34, 493/35, 493/40, 493/94, 49236-239, 163/09, 318/400.4, 340/3.1, 340/545.1, 340/686.1, 430/0, 431/4, 701/01
• US Class Current: 49/340
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 47/02 Movement of the bolt by electromagnetic means; Adaptation of locks, latches, or parts thereof, for movement of the bolt by electromagnetic means by means in the striker E05B63/248
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 65/0035 for privacy rooms, e.g. bathrooms
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 1/063 with complementary, substantially identical and slidingly cooperating cam surfaces E05F1/066 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/614 operated by meshing gear wheels, one of which being mounted at the wing pivot axis; operated by a motor acting directly on the wing pivot axis
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2201/434 Electromotors; Details thereof
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2600/46 in or on the wing
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/112 for restrooms
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/5199 Swinging door

Abstract

An apparatus and system for automatically opening and closing a bathroom stall door. The system includes a motor for driving the door open or closed. A control unit controls the operation of the motor. An outer activation sensor senses a presence of a person in proximity to the outer activation sensor. Upon sensing a presence of a person in proximity to the outer activation sensor by the outer activation sensor, the control unit commands the motor to open the door and automatically close the door after a predetermined time period. When an inner activation sensor senses a presence in the proximity to the inner activation sensor, the control unit locks the door lock. When the inner activation sensor senses a presence in proximity to the inner activation sensor a second time, the control unit unlocks the door lock and commands the motor to open the door.

Claims

1. An apparatus for automatically opening and closing a bathroom stall door, the apparatus comprising:

a gravity coupled slanted hinge for driving a door open or closed, the door covering a bathroom stall;

wherein the gravity hinge forces the door to open or close due to gravity and position of the gravity hinge;

a motor for rotationally positioning the gravity hinge for opening and closing the door;

an automatic door lock attached to the door for preventing entry of the stall from outside the stall;

a control unit for controlling the motor and automatic door lock;

an outer activation sensor for sensing a presence of a person in proximity to the outer activation sensor, the outer activation sensor located on an outer surface or in the proximity of the bathroom stall door; and

an inner activation sensor for sensing a presence of a person in proximity to the inner activation sensor, the inner activation sensor located on an inner surface or in proximity of the bathroom stall door;

wherein, upon the outer activation sensor sensing a presence of a person in proximity to the outer activation sensor, the control unit commands the motor to rotate the gravity hinge to a first position to drive open the door and rotate the gravity hinge to a second position to automatically close the door after a predetermined time period;

wherein, upon the inner activation sensor detecting a person in the stall, the control unit activates the automatic door lock mechanism and locks the door;

wherein, upon the inner activation sensor senses a presence in proximity of the inner activation sensor a second time, the control unit commands the door lock to unlock the door and the motor to rotate the gravity hinge to the first position to drive open the door.

2. The apparatus for automatically opening a closing a bathroom stall door according to claim 1 wherein the stall door is positioned in a cracked-open position when the stall is vacant.

3. The apparatus for automatically opening a closing a bathroom stall door according to claim 2 wherein, after a predetermined time, a person is not sensed within the stall after the outer activation sensor senses a presence of a person in proximity to the outer activation sensor and the door is opened, the door returns to the cracked-open position indicating vacancy.

4. The apparatus for automatically opening a closing a bathroom stall door according to claim 1 further comprising means for manually locking and unlocking the stall door.

5. The apparatus for automatically opening a closing a bathroom stall door according to claim 1 further comprising an indication display, the indication display automatically displaying an occupied indication when the bathroom stall is occupied.

6. The apparatus for automatically opening a closing a bathroom stall door according to claim 1 further comprising means for manually opening and closing the stall door.

7. The apparatus for automatically opening a closing a bathroom stall door according to claim 1 wherein the control unit deactivates the outer activation sensor when the bathroom stall is occupied.

8. The apparatus for automatically opening a closing a bathroom stall door according to claim 1 wherein the control unit deactivates the inner activation sensor when the bathroom stall is vacant.

9. The apparatus for automatically opening a closing a bathroom stall door according to claim 1 wherein the control unit periodically hibernates for a predetermined time.

10. The apparatus for automatically opening a closing a bathroom stall door according to claim 1 further comprising a communication module coupled to the control unit, the communication module communicating with an external terminal to provide a status of the bathroom stall.

11. The apparatus for automatically opening a closing a bathroom stall door according to claim 1 wherein the door is attached to the stall with a plurality of hinges, wherein the plurality of hinges provide an electrical connection for supplying power to the motor and control unit.

19. The apparatus for automatically opening a closing a bathroom stall door according to claim 1 wherein a user may manually override automated operation for opening or closing of the door.

20. The apparatus for automatically opening a closing a bathroom stall door according to claim 19 wherein automatic operation for opening or closing the door is reestablished when the user terminates manual operation of the door.

12. A system for automatically opening and closing a bathroom stall door, the system comprising:

a bathroom stall having a door;

a gravity coupled slanted hinge for driving the door open or closed;

wherein the gravity hinge forces the door to open or close due to gravity and position of the gravity hinge;

a motor for rotationally position the gravity hinge for opening and closing the door;

a door lock attached to the door for preventing entry of the stall from outside the stall with automatic actuator;

a control unit for controlling the motor and door lock;

an outer activation sensor for sensing a presence of a person in proximity to the outer activation sensor, the outer activation sensor located on an outer surface of the bathroom stall door; and

an inner activation sensor for sensing a presence of a person in proximity to the inner activation sensor, the inner activation sensor located on an inner surface of the bathroom stall door;

wherein, upon the outer activation sensor sensing a presence of a person in proximity to the outer activation sensor, the control unit commands the motor to rotate the gravity hinge to a first position to drive open the door and rotate the gravity to a second position to automatically close the door and lock the door lock if a person is detected inside the stall;

wherein, upon the inner activation sensor sensing a presence in proximity of the inner activation sensor for the second time, the control unit commands the door lock to unlock the door lock and the motor to open the door.

13. The system for automatically opening a closing a bathroom stall door according to claim 12 wherein the stall door is positioned in a cracked-open position when the stall is vacant.

14. The system for automatically opening a closing a bathroom stall door according to claim 13 wherein, after a predetermined time, a person is not sensed within the stall after the outer activation sensor senses a presence of a person in proximity to the outer activation sensor and the door is opened, the door returns to the cracked-open position.

15. The system for automatically opening a closing a bathroom stall door according to claim 12 further comprising means for manually operating the stall door.

16. The system for automatically opening a closing a bathroom stall door according to claim 12 further comprising an indication display, the indication display automatically displaying an occupied indication when the bathroom stall is occupied.

17. The system for automatically opening a closing a bathroom stall door according to claim 12 further comprising a communication module coupled to the control unit, the communication module communicating with an external terminal to provide a status of the bathroom stall.

18. The system for automatically opening a closing a bathroom stall door according to claim 12 wherein the door is attached to the stall with a plurality of hinges, wherein the plurality of hinges provide an electrical connection for supplying power to the motor and control unit.