Communications: electrical – Condition responsive indicating system – Specific condition
Reexamination Certificate
2000-11-15
2001-12-04
Wu, Daniel J. (Department: 2632)
Communications: electrical
Condition responsive indicating system
Specific condition
C340S457000, C340S545300, C160S010000, C296S024430, C362S487000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06326899
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to shutters and is concerned in particular with a sensor which registers if such a shutter is opened or closed by sensing whether the latch mechanism by which such a shutter is latched closed is engaged, and switching an electrical circuit accordingly.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,713,621 discloses a vehicle rolling shutter with door-ajar and compartment light switch which uses a magnetically operated switch and requires a magnet to be fitted to the shutter latch to indicate whether the shutter is closed and that the latch is engaged. Other known switch forms use mechanical switches that are operated by the latch while the latch is engaged, these switches having moving parts which can be affected by water and movement of the latch during use of the vehicle.
OBJECTIVES AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An objective of this invention is to provide a shutter with a latch sensor device, and a related sensor device assembly, where the sensor device has no moving parts and is less affected by water or the movement of the latch due to vehicle motion, and does not require the installation of a magnet on the shutter latch.
According to one aspect of this invention, there is provided a shutter assembly including a structure which surrounds an opening, a shutter which includes a plurality of laths hingedly connected together at their longitudinal edges and moveable across the opening in a direction substantially normal to those longitudinal edges between an opened position and a closed position to respectively open and close the opening, and a latch mechanism operable to retain the shutter in location in the closed position. The latch mechanism includes at least one latch member mounted on the shutter and, for each latch member, at least one keeper which is mounted on the structure and which has a portion with which the respective latch member may be engaged to latch the shutter in the closed position. A sensor is included having an emitter and a detector. The emitter transmits a signal which is then reflected by the latch member and received by the detector when the latch member is engaged, or in the absence of the latch member no signal is received by the detector.
The sensor may contain a second detector that only receives signals transmitted by sources other than the emitter which are also received by the first detector, the comparison of the signals received by both detectors precluding incorrect registration of the presence of the latch member. The signal may be in the form of, but not restricted to, light waves in the infrared spectrum.
Conveniently, the sensor can be totally contained within the keeper and can be used, with or without the use of an electrical relay switch included within or outside of the keeper, to operate a warning light or other electrical or electrically controlled items. A plurality of the latch mechanisms, keepers and sensors may be provided.
Another aspect of the invention includes a related sensor device assembly suitable for use, for example, in such a shutter assembly.
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AS Angus Sacol, Latch Bar Not Secure (LBNS) Installation Guide, LBNSIG Issue 1, Feb. 95.
AS America, Inc., Latch Bar Not Secure (LBNS) General Information and Installation Guide, LBNSIG Issue 1, May 95.
AS America Inc., Roller Shutters (Sales Literature), undated.
AS America, The Future Hinges on Century 2000 (Sales Literature), undated.
ASA America, a Division of Hansen International, Inc., AS America Roll-up Doors and Slide Systems (Sales Literature), undated.
AS America, Innovation and Quality in Roll-Up Doors and Equipment Carriers (Brochure), undated.
Dority & Manning P.A.
Wu Daniel J.
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