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.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/667,817, filed Sep. 22, 2003, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety and all commonly owned. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     The subject invention pertains to an apparatus for automatically opening a door and for more specifically for the hands-free opening of a restroom door.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     Bathroom door handles can be a hot bed for germs due to the poor hygiene practices of others. In an effort to avoid contact with the door handle, restroom patrons will often utilize any means available to open a restroom door and exist common necessary to avoid contact with the door handle. Quite often people use their feet to pry the door open, a paper towel to insulate their hands from the door handle, grasp the door in a location other than the handle, or even wait for another patron to enter, in an effort to avoid contact with the door altogether.  
         [0004]     Automatic door openers are well-known in the art. They are generally operated by motion detectors and have bidirectional motors that both open and close the doors as a patron approaches the door. Essentially, the patron enters a zone in which a proximity detector detects the presence of the patron and automatically opens the door. There are certain drawbacks of these automatic door openers especially in the close quarters of a public restroom. For example, due to the small size of many public restrooms, proximity detectors can activate from almost any movement in the restroom. This results in the constant opening and closing of the restroom door due to the movement of the patron inside the restroom. In addition, patrons entering the restroom from the outside will often trigger the door to swing inward where another patron may be standing.  
         [0005]     Attempts to remedy these drawbacks have been made by way of motors or opening mechanisms which stop progress when obstructed. While these improvements resolve a portion of the problems in that the patron in the path of the door is not injured, it is still inconvenient for all involved. Keeping convenience in mind, it is desirable to have a restroom door that can be opened both manually or automatically upon the affirmative action of a patron on the inside of the restroom. This allows the patron on the inside of the restroom to have a choice of automatically or manually opening the restroom door, as well as making the patron aware of the doors automatic opening so that any impedance thereof may be avoided.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0006]     Accordingly, it is an object to the present invention to provide an automatic restroom door opener initiated upon the affirmative action or command of a restroom patron. The automatic door opener comprises an actuator; a control unit and a power assisted drive mechanism. The drive mechanism comprises a limit unit which is in communication with a conventional door closer which allows the door to be opened manually from the inside or outside or automatically from the inside upon the affirmative action of a restroom patron. The affirmative action of the restroom patron required to open the automatic door, for example, can comprise a hand waving or oral command wherein the patron is provided instruction through iconic symbols triggered by the proximity of the patron to the actuator.  
         [0007]     The actuator can be mounted in any area near the restroom door. For example, between the sink and door at a height sufficient to accommodate nearly any restroom patron. The actuator comprises at least one proximity sensor for detecting the proximity of a patron within at least one specific proximity zone. Each proximity zone corresponds to a specific distance from the activator.  
         [0008]     For example, the proximity detector detects the presence of a patron in a first zone. The actuator then provides an iconic instruction and/or an audible signal to instruct the patron to wave hi or her hand close to the actuator. When the patron&#39;s hand is waved in front of the actuator, it enters a second proximity zone. The proximity sensor, or a second proximity sensor, then detects the proximity of the patron&#39;s hand to the actuator, provides an audible signal of detection and begins the door-opening process. At any time the door may be opened manually from inside or out.  
         [0009]     The actuator alerts to the patron in each of the various zones and provides a corresponding iconic symbol on the face of the interface will light thereby instructing the patron on the process for opening the door. For example, as patron approaches the restroom door to exit the restroom, the proximity detector detects the presence of the patron as the patron enters a first proximity zone. Detecting the presence of the patron I the actuator flashes a first signal which alerts the patron I to the presence of the actuator and provides a “wave hand” iconic symbol instructing the patron I to wave his or her hand in front of the actuator. As the patron approaches the actuator and waves his or her hand in front of it, the patron&#39;s hand enters a second proximity zone and the actuator can illuminate a second iconic symbol or color which alerts the patron to the automatic opening of the door.  
         [0010]     For example, the first and second proximity zones can be variably set to meet the needs of the specific restroom installation. The affirmative action for example can be a movement such as a hand wave or oral command in front of the actuator which then initiates the opening of the door. Upon completion of the affirmative action of the patron, a second audible signal can be provided alerting the patron to the opening of the door. This informs the patron that the inward swinging door will be opening immediately.  
         [0011]     When initiated, the control unit sends a signal to the power-assisted drive mechanism attached to a conventional door closer. The conventional door closer can be a preexisting door closer or a door closing apparatus integrated into the system. Conventional door closers generally comprise an external gear on the top and bottom of the closer that rotates with the opening and closing of the door to which it is attached. When the external gear of the door closer is rotated in the appropriate direction, the door closer can be reversed and can operate to open the door.  
         [0012]     The power-assisted drive mechanism comprises a motor, a gear box and a limit unit. The motor may be an AC or a DC motor, unidirectional or bi-directional. The gear box may comprise a variety of gears to translate the torque of the motor to the limiting unit which is attached to an external gear on the door closer. For example, the gear box may comprise a series of reduction gears in further communication with the limit unit. The limit unit provides for the positive opening of the door by the power-assisted drive mechanism. While there is a variety of methods in which to accomplish this task, the preferred method disclosed herein allows for power-assisted door opening as well as unobstructed manual door opening.  
         [0013]     As the apparatus opens a swinging door, the control unit senses the maximum angle θ and adjusts the motor function accordingly. For example, when the door opens to the maximum angle θ, the control unit can eliminate all power to the motor thereby allowing the limit unit to reset the motor as the door comes to a closed position or in the alternative the control unit can reset the motor under power. In addition to detecting the maximum angle of the door θ, the control unit can also detect any fluctuation in current (i.e., voltage) caused by an impedance in the opening door and thereby initiate a failsafe program that operates to stop the opening of the door. Accordingly, should somebody step in the way of the door as it is opening as the door comes in contact with an obstruction such as a person, the control unit will detect an increase in motor power and initiate the failsafe program.  
         [0014]     When the opening process is completed, the power to the motor can be eliminated or reversed by the control unit and the normal function of the door closer can take over and close the door in its usual fashion. Such a feature is highly desirable for a number of reasons. First, such a system allows for the bathroom door to open both automatically and manually. Second, the apparatus is easily adaptable to existing conventional door closers. Third, by utilizing an existing door closer time and money are saved by way of installation costs and materials. Further objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent by reference to the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment and appended drawings wherein like reference numbers refer to the same feature, component, or element. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0015]     For a fuller understanding of the invention, reference is made to the following detailed description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings illustrating various embodiments of the present invention, in which:  
         [0016]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an inward swing door comprising the apparatus according to the present invention.  
         [0017]      FIG. 2  is a plan view of the actuator device according to the present invention.  
         [0018]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the power-assisted drive mechanism according to the present invention.  
         [0019]      FIG. 4  is a plan view of the power-assisted drive mechanism according to the present invention.  
         [0020]      FIG. 5  is an alternative embodiment of the power-assisted drive mechanism according to the present invention.  
         [0021]      FIG. 6  is an alternative embodiment of the power-assisted drive mechanism according to the present invention.  
         [0022]      FIG. 7  is an illustration of the proximity zones according to the present invention.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0023]     The present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which preferred embodiments in the invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be complete, and will fully convey and disclose the invention to those skilled on the art. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout, and the prime notation indicates similar elements in the alternate embodiments.  
         [0024]     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , an apparatus according to the present invention is illustrated and generally designated by the reference numeral  10 .  
         [0025]     The door opening apparatus  10  illustratively includes an actuator  20  a control unit  22  and a power-assisted drive mechanism  24 . The power-assisted drive mechanism  24  illustratively is attached to a conventional door closer  26 . The conventional door closer  26  may comprise a preexisting door closer or a door closer integrated into the apparatus  10 . The apparatus provides for the egress from a restroom without requiring the manual contact with the door  28 .  
         [0026]     The actuator  20  comprises a proximity sensor  40 , audible signals (not shown), a plurality of visual signals corresponding to the working status of the actuator. The control unit  22  is in electronic communication with the actuator  20  and the power-assisted drive mechanism  26  and functions to control both the actuator  20  and the power-assisted drive mechanism  24 . The power-assisted drive mechanism comprises a motor  60  a gear box  62  and a limit unit  64 . The door closer  26  may comprise an existing door closer or a door closer integrated with the apparatus  10 .  
         [0027]     It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the control unit  22  communicates to the actuator  20  and the power-assisted drive mechanism  24  through wires, fiber optics, electro magnetic signals, or a combination thereof. It will also be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the electro magnetic signals can include infra-red, RF, or any other electro magnetic signal known in the art.  
         [0028]     The actuator  20  comprises at least one proximity sensor  40  and a plurality of visual signals. The plurality of visual signals may comprise an attention signal  42 , an affirmative action signal  44  and a door opening signal  46 . By way of example, as a patron I approaches an inward swinging restroom door  28  to exit the restroom, the patron I enters a first proximity zone  80  and the proximity sensor  40 , in the actuator  20 , detects the presence of the patron I. The proximity sensor  40  sends an electronic signal to the control unit  22  which sends an electronic signal from the control unit  22  to the actuator  20  that instructs the actuator  20  to provide an alert signal to the patron I.  
         [0029]     For example, the alert signal to the patron I may comprise an attention signal  42 , an audio signal (not shown) or a combination thereof. The attention signal  42  may comprise an illuminated iconic signal  42  which illuminates steadily or flashes to alert the patron I to the existence of the actuator  20 . The attention signal  42  may further comprise an audible signal.  
         [0030]     As the patron I moves closer to the restroom door  28  the proximity sensor  40  detects that the patron I is within a certain zone (for example a distance from the actuator up to 18 inches) and sends an electronic signal to the control unit  22  which in turns sends an electronic signal back to the actuator  20  to indicate a change in operation status, for example flashing the affirmative action icon  44  on the actuator  20 . By way of example, the affirmative action visual signal  44  can instruct the patron I to wave their hand in front of the actuator  20  to initiate the opening of the door  28 .  
         [0031]     In an alternative embodiment, the actuator  20  constantly flashes to get the attention of the patron I. In such an embodiment, a single proximity zone  82  can be used. The actuator  20  does not require a first proximity zone  80  to detect the presence of the patron I. Instead the actuator  20  flashes continuously in an “always on” mode. When the patron I desires to exit the restroom, the iconic instruction  44  is already illuminated and the patron I need only to take the affirmative action necessary to initiate the hands free door opener  10 .  
         [0032]     As the patron I complies with the iconic instruction requiring the affirmative action, the proximity sensor  40  interprets the affirmative action and sends an electronic signal to the control unit  22  which, first, sends a signal back to the actuator to illuminate the door opening signal  46  and, second, initiates the door opening sequence.  
         [0033]     To initiate the door opening sequence, the control unit  22  sends a signal to the power-assisted drive mechanism  24 . The power-assisted drive mechanism  24  comprises a motor  60 , gear box  62 , and a limit unit  64 . As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the motor  60  may be unidirectional or bi-directional AC or DC. The gear box  62  may comprise a variety of gears which operate to translate torque from the motor  60  to the limit unit  64 . By way of example, the preferred gears of the present invention comprise a series of reduction gears (not shown) that allow the torque of the motor  60  to be translated substantially perpendicular to the plane of the motor  60 , thus allowing a more compact power-assisted drive mechanism  24 . The limit unit  64  receives torque from the gear box  62  and functions to open the restroom door  28  to a fixed angle θ. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the limit unit  64  may operate to allow the door  28  to be opened mechanically or manually.  
         [0034]     As the motor  60  receives the signal from the control unit  22  under normal conditions, it will provide torque to the gear box  62  which then provides torque to the limit unit  64  which is in further communication with a door closer  26 .  
         [0035]     The door closer  26  comprises an conventional door closing mechanism as is known in the art. For example, the door closer is mounted to the top of the door  28  and further comprises a double arm arrangement  68  that is attached to the header  70  above the door. Such a double arm arrangement  68  can operate to either push or pull the door  28  open depending on the configuration of the door closer 26 .  
         [0036]     Conventional door closers generally comprise an external gear  66  on the top and/or bottom of the closer  26  that rotates with the opening and closing of the door  28  to which it is attached. The external gear  26  is generally connected to an internal piston (Not shown) located in the door closer  26  such that the opening of the double arm arrangement  68  causes the internal piston to compress an oil damping spring (not shown). Upon release of the door  28 , the oil dampening spring causes the door  28  to close and the dampening system regulates the speed at which the door  28  closes. When the external gear  66  of the door closer  26  is rotated in the appropriate direction (i.e., reverse), the door closer  26  operates to open the door  28 .  
         [0037]     When the door  28  opens to the preset angle θ, the control unit  22  detects the angle of the door  28  and sends a signal to the motor  60  to stop further progress. At this point, alternative events can occur. For example, all power to the motor  60  may be ceased and the motor may be returned to starting position as the door closer  26  functions in its normal capacity to close the door  28  thereby providing reverse torque on the limit unit  64  which is translated back through the gear box  62  to the motor  60 . In another embodiment, the motor  60  may be bidirectional and as such, the control unit  22  can instruct the motor  60  to return to its starting position under its own power.  
         [0038]     As the door opening sequence begins, should the door physically encounter any impedance (i.e., obstruction) the result will be a fluctuation in current (i.e., voltage) supplied to the motor  60 . The control unit  22  may be programmed to detect any increase in motor voltage fluctuation and can then send a signal to the motor  60  to cease further operation. In the case of a uni-directional motor, the cease in function signal can operate simply to cut-off the electrical supply to the motor  60 . In the case of a bidirectional motor, the cease and function instruction from the control unit  22  can operate to stop the progress of the motor  60  and return it to its starting position under its own power.  
         [0039]     The control unit  22 , can be programmed to operate, auxiliary electrical devices in a restroom such as lights, exhaust fans, aroma therapy dispensers, or other electronic apparatus that can be enjoyed by an patron I in a restroom. The control unit  22  receives electric power from an external source such as an electrical box or a junction box, a battery, or any other means from which electricity is produced. It will all be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the control unit may be programmed to operate a plurality of automatic door opening devices.  
         [0040]     Many modifications and other embodiments of the invention will come to the mind of one skilled in the art having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is understood that the invention is not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed, and that modifications and embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims.