Movable or removable closures – Safety means responsive to obstruction to closure – Sensing shoe on leading edge
Reexamination Certificate
2001-10-02
2003-11-25
Strimbu, Gregory J. (Department: 3634)
Movable or removable closures
Safety means responsive to obstruction to closure
Sensing shoe on leading edge
C049S199000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06651385
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a sensor system for controlling movement of a door or other moving structure and, more particularly, a non-contact sensor system having a transmitter and a receiver with a control circuit for controlling movement of an overhead door or other moving structure.
Devices used for controlling the movement, particularly the downward movement of a door, such as an overhead door, are well known in the art. The following patents, the subject matter of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference, relate to sensing edges for use with such a door:
U.S. Pat. No. 5,426,293 entitled “Sensing Edge Having A Photoelectric Switch Position Therein”
U.S. Pat. No. 5,728,984 entitled “Sensing Safety Edge Systems”
U.S. Pat. No. 5,832,665 entitled “Sensing Edge” and
U.S. Pat. No. 5,962,825 entitled “Universal Sensing Edge”.
In addition, the use of an electric eye positioned near the floor on either side of such a door for the purpose of controlling downward movement of such a door is generally well known in the art.
While the prior art methods for controlling the downward movement of a door all function adequately, there is a need for a more advanced non-contact sensor system for controlling the movement of a door which is not necessarily located proximate to the floor or closing surface. In this manner, movement of the door can be controlled to prevent damage to the door or to other devices, such as the prongs of a forklift, which may be positioned within the path of the door, but not necessarily proximate to the floor. Prior art sensing edges required that the object actually contact or touch the edge to create pressure or to occlude an infrared or other signal in a sheath thereby allowing the door to come into contact with the object. The present invention provides such a non-contact sensor system for a door which extends beyond a leading edge of the door and moves with the door, and which functions to sense the presence of items in the path of a downwardly moving door over substantially the entire range of movement of the door and prevent the door from ever contacting the sensed items.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Briefly stated, the present invention comprises a non-contact sensor system that controls movement of a door moving in a first direction by actuation of a device. The sensor system includes a transmitter extending a predetermined distance beyond a leading edge of the door at a first door end for transmitting a signal toward a second door end. The transmitter is attached to the door by a first moveable member which is capable of engaging a surface when the door closes and moving to a retracted position. The sensor system further includes a receiver extending a predetermined distance beyond the leading edge of the door at the second door end in relative alignment with the transmitter for detecting the signal, and for generating an output signal when the signal is blocked. The receiver is attached to the door by a second moveable member which is capable of engaging the surface when the door closes and moving to the retracted position. The output signal is suppressed when the second moveable member is in the retracted position.
REFERENCES:
patent: 1576950 (1926-03-01), Conklin
patent: 1634665 (1927-07-01), Hedley et al.
patent: 2135131 (1938-11-01), Bassett
patent: 2476111 (1949-07-01), Opalek
patent: 3168165 (1965-02-01), Bagnasco
patent: 3537211 (1970-11-01), Guilbert, Jr. et al.
patent: 4301621 (1981-11-01), Houweling
patent: 4953608 (1990-09-01), Larsson
patent: 4984658 (1991-01-01), Peelle et al.
patent: 5233185 (1993-08-01), Whitaker
patent: 5426293 (1995-06-01), Miller et al.
patent: 5596840 (1997-01-01), Teich
patent: 5602370 (1997-02-01), Kau
patent: 5625980 (1997-05-01), Teich et al.
patent: 5728984 (1998-03-01), Miller
patent: 5743320 (1998-04-01), McKeon
patent: 5832665 (1998-11-01), Miller et al.
patent: 5929406 (1999-07-01), Thile
patent: 5962825 (1999-10-01), Miller
patent: 6082046 (2000-07-01), Simmons
patent: 6176039 (2001-01-01), Craig
patent: 0 284 066 (1988-03-01), None
patent: 451936 (1936-08-01), None
Anderson Michael
Castello Timothy
Leigh Gary
Miller Bearge D.
Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld L.L.P.
Miller Edge, Inc.
Strimbu Gregory J.
LandOfFree
Retractable non-contact sensor system does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Retractable non-contact sensor system, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Retractable non-contact sensor system will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-3171168