U.S. patent number 3,855,733 [Application Number 05/374,040] was granted by the patent office on 1974-12-24 for sensitive edge for a door.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Miller Brothers. Invention is credited to Norman K. Miller.
United States Patent |
3,855,733 |
Miller |
December 24, 1974 |
SENSITIVE EDGE FOR A DOOR
Abstract
A sensitive door edge comprising a channel for mounting on a
door facing outwardly therefrom, and a pressure sensitive assembly
removably inserted into the channel and projecting outwardly
therefrom.
Inventors: |
Miller; Norman K.
(Concordville, PA) |
Assignee: |
Miller Brothers (Concordville,
PA)
|
Family
ID: |
23474997 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/374,040 |
Filed: |
June 27, 1973 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
49/489.1;
200/61.43; 49/27; 49/492.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E05F
15/44 (20150115) |
Current International
Class: |
E05F
15/00 (20060101); E06b 007/23 () |
Field of
Search: |
;49/448,489,482,492,27,28 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Kannan; Philip C.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An electrically pressure sensitive edge structure adapted for a
door, said structure comprising a channel extending along a door
facing outwardly therefrom, internal projections in said channel,
and an entirely resiliently compressible pressure sensitive
assembly of foam material snugly engaged longitudinally in said
channel, said assembly including a base portion substantially
completely occupying said channel, said base portion being
sufficiently laterally compressible for edgewise engagement into
and withdrawal from said channel past said internal projections,
and an active portion extending outwardly from said channel, said
assembly being formed with recesses releasably receiving said
projections.
2. A pressure sensitive edge structure according to claim 1, said
internal projections comprising longitudinally extending ribs, said
base portion comprising an elongate body of resiliently
compressible foam material substantially completely occupying said
channel compressible to pass transversely across and between said
ribs, said recesses being defined by longitudinally extending
grooves in opposite sides of said body, and said active portion
comprising a pair of longitudinally extending flexible contact
strips in facing spaced relation and depressible into contacting
engagement.
3. A pressure sensitive edge structure according to claim 2, in
combination with a cover of sheet material flexible to permit
engagement of said projections in said grooves and depression of
said strips into said contacting engagement.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In the past, it has been essential to provide especially
constructed doors adapted to include pressure sensitive edge
structures, as for safety against accidental closing, and the like.
Thus, the subsequent provision of existing doors with pressure
sensitive edges was difficult and expensive, if possible, and the
removal, repair and replacement of sensitive edge structures
incorporated in prior art doors often involve considerable time,
expense and reconstruction.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it is an important object of the present invention to
provide a pressure sensitive edge structure for a door which
overcomes the above-mentioned difficulties, being capable of
utilization in combination with conventional doors and
unconventional doors of many varied types.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a highly
improved pressure sensitive edge structure having the advantageous
characteristics mentioned in the preceding paragraph, which is
quickly and easily attached to a door, and capable of quick and
easy removal, replacement and repair, as desired, to effect
considerable savings in both initial and continuing costs.
It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a
pressure sensitive edge structure for doors of the type disclosed
which is extremely simple in construction, durable and reliable
throughout a long useful life, capable of economic manufacture,
installation and maintenance, and which otherwise fully
accomplishes its intended objects.
Other objects of the present invention will become apparent upon
reading the following specification and referring to the
accompanying drawings, which form a material part of this
disclosure.
The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction,
combinations of elements, and arrangements of parts, which will be
exemplified in the construction hereinafter described, and of which
the scope will be indicated by the appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a front perspective view showing a doorway including a
door provided with an edge structure in accordance with the
teachings of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a partial sectional view taken generally along the line
2--2 of FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is a partial longitudinal sectional view taken generally
along the line 3--3 of FIG. 2.
FIG. 4 is a partial perspective view showing a door edge of the
present invention apart from a door, and broken away for clarity of
understanding.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring now more particularly to the drawings, and specifically
to FIG. 1 thereof, a building is there generally designated 10,
having a door opening 11 and provided with a door 12, which in the
illustrated embodiment is an overhead door, but may be any suitable
door construction, as desired.
Along the lower edge of door 12 is provided a pressure sensitive or
safety edge structure generally designated 15. The edge structure
15 is best shown in FIGS. 2-4, and includes a retainer 16, which
may be a generally U-shaped channel having a back wall or web 17
secured to the lower edge 18 of the door proper 19. The retainer or
channel 16 may advantageously be fabricated of relatively stiff
material, such as aluminum, or other, as by extrusion, or
otherwise, and may include a pair of laterally spaced, parallel
depending side walls or flanges 20, extending from opposite
longitudinal sides or edges of the back wall or web 17. The side
walls or flanges 20 may each be provided along its free, outer edge
with a longitudinally extending inturned lip, rib or internal
projection, as at 21. Thus, the projections 21 project inwardly
toward each other, the space therebetween defining a longitudinally
extending slot or opening communicating between the interior and
exterior of the retainer or channel 16.
A resiliently compressible, pressure sensitive assembly is
generally designated 25 and extends longitudinally along the
retainer channel 16, being removably engaged therein and projecting
therefrom. More specifically, the assembly 25 includes an elongate
resiliently compressible member or foam pad 26, which defines a
base portion, being of generally rectangular cross sectional
configuration sized for snug conforming engagement interiorly of
the retainer channel. Further, the resilient pad or base portion 26
substantially completely occupies the interior of the channel 16,
and is formed along opposite side edges with a pair of
longitudinally extending recesses or grooves 27 located to
respectively receive inturned projections or lips 21. In addition
to substantially completely occupying the space within retainer
channel 16, the base portion 15 projects outwardly from the
channel, as by exterior portion 28, outward of the grooves 27.
Carried by the base portion 26, outwardly thereof and exteriorly of
the retainer channel 16, the assembly 25 includes an outer active
portion 30. The active portion 30 may be constituted of a pair of
inner and outer, longitudinally extending, generally parallel
spaced conductive strips or contacts 31 and 32, the former being
inward and the latter outward. For example, the inner contact strip
31 may extend along and in facing engagement with the outer surface
33 of base portion 26, say being laterally coextensive therewith;
and, the outer strip 32 may extend in facing, parallel, outwardly
spaced relation with respect to the inner strip 31, being
maintained in the spaced relation by a plurality of separate,
spaced apart members or spacers 34. The spaced apart spacers 34
maintain the contact strips 31 and 32 in their normally spaced
apart relation, while permitting of flexure into contacting
engagement at one or more locations between spacers 34. An outer
cushioning layer 35, say of resiliently compressible foam, or the
like, may be located exteriorly of and in facing engagement with
the outer side of outer strip 32. Additionally, a flexible casing
or covering 36 may encompass the assembly 25, being fabricated of
suitable sheet material, such as vinyl, or the like, and may be
suitably adherent to the resiliently compressible components 26, 34
and 35 so as to maintain the assembly 25 in its unitary, assembled
relation while permitting of desirable flexure and resilient
compressibility.
Suitable electrical conductors 37 and 38 may be connected,
respectively, to contact strips 31 and 32, for extension to
appropriate circuitry for effecting the desired door operating
characteristics responsive to the application of pressure against
the assembly 25 sufficient to compress the assembly and effect
contact between strips 31 and 32. That is, the active portion 30
exteriorly of the retainer 16 is responsive to pressure causing
engagement of the normally spaced contact strips 31 and 32, such as
in the operation of my prior U.S. Pat. No. 3,133,167.
Also, as best shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the covering or casing 36 is
sufficiently flexible to enter into the grooves or recesses 27 of
the base portion 26, thereby enabling the projections 21 to enter
into the grooves or recesses and releasably retain the assembly in
position with respect to the retaining channel 16. Of course, the
assembly 25 may be removed from the retainer channel 16 when
desired, as by deliberate compression and withdrawal to effect
release of the projections or ribs 21 from the recesses 27; and,
the assembly or a replacement assembly may be reinserted by mere
snap engagement of the base portion 20 into the channel.
From the foregoing it is seen that the present invention provides a
pressure sensitive edge structure which is extremely simple in
construction, durable and reliable throughout a long useful life,
capable of quick and easy removal and replacement, as for effecting
necessary maintenance and repairs.
Although the present invention has been described in some detail by
way of illustration and example for purposes of clarity of
understanding, it is understood that certain changes a and
modifications may be made within the spirit of the invention.
* * * * *