US3687053A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Vestibule air curtain door system
Assignee: HASTINGS INDUSTRIES Inc
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Filing: 1970-11-23
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Granted: 1972-08-29
•
Expires: 1990-11-23
Abstract
Abstract An air curtain door system adapted particularly for use in the vestibule and other variable volume pedestrian and other traffic areas of public facilities, such as restaurants, offices and the like, and adapted to utilize fresh outside air to provide a source of heated or otherwise conditioned air for environmental control of internal air circulation through pressurization of the facility.
Inventors
- 👤 James H Henson
- 👤 Artel R Henson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 03:54
CPC Classifications
F; F24; F24F; F24F9/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 42
Claim 1
Independent Claim
154 words
In a system for conditioning the air for a substantially enclosed area having undesirable contaminants in the atmosphere thereof, means adjacent the area defining a vestibule, said vestibule having an access opening for enabling occupant entry into and egress from said area; closure means located in said opening having a first position separating said vestibule from said area and a second position enabling occupant entry from said vestibule to said area and vice-versa; air passage defining means for communicating said vestibule and said area irrespective of the position of said closure means; means for extricating contaminant containing waste air from said area; and means including heat transfer means for conditioning fresh outside air and for discharging a sufficient volume of said conditioned air into said vestibule for more than compensating for extricated waste air from said area and thereby pressurizing said area so as to prevent undesirable circulation of said contaminant within said area.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
154 words
In a system for conditioning the air for a substantially enclosed area having undesirable contaminants in the atmosphere thereof, means adjacent the area defining a vestibule, said vestibule having an access opening for enabling occupant entry into and egress from said area; closure means located in said opening having a first position separating said vestibule from said area and a second position enabling occupant entry from said vestibule to said area and vice-versa; air passage defining means for communicating said vestibule and said area irrespective of the position of said closure means; means for extricating contaminant containing waste air from said area; and means including heat transfer means for conditioning fresh outside air and for discharging a sufficient volume of said conditioned air into said vestibule for more than compensating for extricated waste air from said area and thereby pressurizing said area so as to prevent undesirable circulation of said contaminant within said area.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The invention as set forth in claim 1 wherein said vestibule is located remote from said means for extricating said contaminant containing waste air.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
The invention as set forth in claim 1 wherein said means for extricating contaminant containing waste air comprises an exhaust fan.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
40 words
The invention as set forth in claim 1 wherein said enclosed area includes a kitchen producing undesirable cooking odors and a patron seating area, and wherein said last mentioned means prevents circulation of said cooking odors toward said seating area.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
The invention as set forth in claim 1 wherein said vestibule includes a second access opening and wherein said last mentioned means provides an air curtain closure at least partially across said opening.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
The invention as set forth in claim 1 which includes means communicating air discharged from said last mentioned means toward said extricating means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
51 words
The invention as set forth in claim 5 which includes means for communicating air discharged from said air conditioning means to a position along at least one side of said second access opening and for discharging said air conditioning air across and in substantially the same plane as said second opening.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
28 words
The invention as set forth in claim 1 wherein said enclosed area is defined by the building structure and wherein said vestibule is located exteriorly of said structure.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
The invention as set forth in claim 1 wherein said enclosed area is defined by the building structure and wherein said vestibule is located interiorly of said structure.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
118 words
In combination with a substantially enclosed area, a vestibule adjacent the area, said vestibule including an access opening for enabling occupant entry into and egress from said area; closure means located in said opening having a first position separating said vestibule from said area and a second position enabling occupant entry from said vestibule to said area and vIce-versa; means providing for air circulating between said vestibule and said area irrespective of the position of said closure means, and means including heat transfer means for conditioning fresh outside air and for introducing a sufficient volume of said conditioned air into said vestibule for pressurizing said vestibule and thereby assuring unidirectional air circulating from said vestibule toward said area.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
118 words
In combination with a substantially enclosed area, a vestibule adjacent the area, said vestibule including an access opening for enabling occupant entry into and egress from said area; closure means located in said opening having a first position separating said vestibule from said area and a second position enabling occupant entry from said vestibule to said area and vIce-versa; means providing for air circulating between said vestibule and said area irrespective of the position of said closure means, and means including heat transfer means for conditioning fresh outside air and for introducing a sufficient volume of said conditioned air into said vestibule for pressurizing said vestibule and thereby assuring unidirectional air circulating from said vestibule toward said area.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
32 words
The invention as set forth in claim 10 which includes a second access opening into said vestibule and wherein said last mentioned means provides an air curtain closure across said second opening.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
51 words
The invention as set forth in claim 11 which includes means for communicating air discharged from said air conditioning means to a position along at least one side of said second access opening and for discharging said air conditioning air across and in substantially the same plane as said second opening.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
36 words
The invention as set forth in claim 10 which includes means extricating air from said enclosed area and wherein said air conditioning means introduces a greater quantity of air into said area than is extricated therefrom.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
150 words
In combination with a relatively enclosed area, a vestibule adjacent the area enabling occupant entry into and egress from said area; means defining a first access opening into said vestibule, means defining a second access opening between said vestibule and said area; closure means located in said opening having a first position separating said vestibule from said area and a second position enabling occupant entry from said vestibule to said area and vice-versa; means providing for air circulating between said vestibule and said area irrespective of the position of said closure means; and means including heat transfer means for conditioning fresh outside air and for discharging a sufficient volume of said conditioned air into said vestibule and along at least one side of one of said access openings for providing an air curtain closure substantially in the plane of said opening and for at least in part pressurizing said area.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
150 words
In combination with a relatively enclosed area, a vestibule adjacent the area enabling occupant entry into and egress from said area; means defining a first access opening into said vestibule, means defining a second access opening between said vestibule and said area; closure means located in said opening having a first position separating said vestibule from said area and a second position enabling occupant entry from said vestibule to said area and vice-versa; means providing for air circulating between said vestibule and said area irrespective of the position of said closure means; and means including heat transfer means for conditioning fresh outside air and for discharging a sufficient volume of said conditioned air into said vestibule and along at least one side of one of said access openings for providing an air curtain closure substantially in the plane of said opening and for at least in part pressurizing said area.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
31 words
The invention as set forth in claim 14 which includes means for discharging conditioned air along the opposite sides of one of said access openings to provide said air curtain closure.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
36 words
The invention as set forth in claim 14 which includes an adaptor unit cooperable with said air conditioning means for receiving conditioned air therefrom and communicating said air to a position providing said air curtain closure.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
70 words
The invention as set forth in claim 14 which includes at least one generally hollow column disposed adjacent and extending vertically of one of said access openings, and which includes means defining a discharge opening in said column for directing conditioned air across said opening to provide said air curtain closure, and which further includes a plenum chamber for communicating conditioned air from said air conditioning means to said column.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
27 words
The invention as set forth in claim 16 wherein said adaptor unit comprises means defining a plenum chamber for receiving conditioned air from said air conditioning means.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
35 words
The invention as set forth in claim 18 which includes at least one generally vertically oriented duct located adjacent one of said opening for directing air across said opening and providing said air curtain closure.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
40 words
The invention as set forth in claim 19 which includes a pair of laterally spaced apart ducts communicable with said plenum chamber and including discharge openings for directing conditioned air across said one opening to provide said air curtain closure.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
24 words
The invention as set forth in claim 20 which includes baffle means located within said plenum chamber for directing conditioned air toward said ducts.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
22 words
The invention as set forth in claim 20 wherein said ducts are arranged in substantially the same plane as said one opening.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
130 words
In combination with a vestibule enabling occupant entry into and egress from a Relatively enclosed area and including an access opening and means including heat transfer means for conditioning fresh outside air and discharging conditioned air into the interior of said vestibule, an adaptor unit including means for receiving conditioned air discharged from said air conditioning means, said adaptor unit comprising a housing defining a plenum chamber communicable with said air conditioning means; and means providing a discharge opening arranged in the plane of said opening for providing an air curtain closure across said opening; said discharge opening being defined by an air duct extending along one side of said access opening and having a discharge opening for directing conditioned air across said opening to provide said air curtain closure.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
130 words
In combination with a vestibule enabling occupant entry into and egress from a Relatively enclosed area and including an access opening and means including heat transfer means for conditioning fresh outside air and discharging conditioned air into the interior of said vestibule, an adaptor unit including means for receiving conditioned air discharged from said air conditioning means, said adaptor unit comprising a housing defining a plenum chamber communicable with said air conditioning means; and means providing a discharge opening arranged in the plane of said opening for providing an air curtain closure across said opening; said discharge opening being defined by an air duct extending along one side of said access opening and having a discharge opening for directing conditioned air across said opening to provide said air curtain closure.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
39 words
The invention as set forth in claim 23 which includes a pair of ducts located along opposite sides of said access opening and having discharge openings for directing conditioned air across said opening to provide said air curtain closure.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
24 words
The invention as set forth in claim 24 which includes baffle means located within said plenum chamber for directing conditioned air toward said ducts.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
18 words
The invention as set forth in claim 25 wherein said housing and said ducts comprise a unitized assembly.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
25 words
The invention as set forth in claim 26 wherein said unitized assembly is adapted for operative mounting in underlying relation to said air conditioning means.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
118 words
In the method for conditioning the air for a preselected substantially enclosed area having means therein introducing undesirable contaminants into the atmosphere within the area, means for extricating such contaminated air, a heat transfer apparatus, and a vestibule enabling occupant entry into and egress from the area, the steps which include, introducing fresh outside air into the heat transfer apparatus, conditioning said air introduced into the heat transfer apparatus, separating said vestibule from said area while simultaneously maintaining air flow therebetween; and discharging a sufficient volume of said conditioned air into said vestibule for more than compensating for extricated contaminated air and thereby pressurizing said area so as to prevent undesirable circulation of said contaminants within said area.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
118 words
In the method for conditioning the air for a preselected substantially enclosed area having means therein introducing undesirable contaminants into the atmosphere within the area, means for extricating such contaminated air, a heat transfer apparatus, and a vestibule enabling occupant entry into and egress from the area, the steps which include, introducing fresh outside air into the heat transfer apparatus, conditioning said air introduced into the heat transfer apparatus, separating said vestibule from said area while simultaneously maintaining air flow therebetween; and discharging a sufficient volume of said conditioned air into said vestibule for more than compensating for extricated contaminated air and thereby pressurizing said area so as to prevent undesirable circulation of said contaminants within said area.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method as set forth in claim 28 which includes the step of discharging conditioned air across an access opening for providing an air curtain closure across said opening.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method as set forth in claim 29 which includes the step of discharging said air across said opening from the opposite sides thereof.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method as set forth in claim 28 which includes the step of continuously extricating air from said vestibule enclosed area and discharging a greater quantity of conditioned air from said air conditioning means than is extricated from said enclosed area.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
74 words
The method as set forth in claim 28 which includes the step of discharging conditioned air from said air conditioning means into a unitized adaptor assembly disposed in underlying relation to said air conditioning means and thereby transferring said conditioned air to a position along at least one side of an access opening into said vestibule, and thereafter discharging said conditioning air across said opening to provide an air curtain closure across said opening.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
53 words
The method as set forth in claim 28 which includes the step of discharging conditioned air from said air conditioning means into a hollow element disposed along one side of said opening, and thereafter discharging said conditioning air from said element across said opening to provide an air curtain closure across said opening.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
136 words
In combination with a relatively enclosed area, vestibule means located adjacent to said area for providing occupant entry thereto and egress therefrom; said vestibule including a first opening providing occupant access to said vestibule and a second opening providing access between said vestibule and said area; closure means located in one of sAid openings having a first position separating opposite sides thereof and a second position enabling occupant entry thereacross; air passage defining means connecting opposite sides of said one opening for communicating air thereacross; and means including heat transfer means for conditioning fresh outside air and for introducing a sufficient volume of said conditioned air into said vestibule to at least partially pressurize said area, said means further including an air curtain closure located in the other of said openings for introducing said sufficient volume.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
136 words
In combination with a relatively enclosed area, vestibule means located adjacent to said area for providing occupant entry thereto and egress therefrom; said vestibule including a first opening providing occupant access to said vestibule and a second opening providing access between said vestibule and said area; closure means located in one of sAid openings having a first position separating opposite sides thereof and a second position enabling occupant entry thereacross; air passage defining means connecting opposite sides of said one opening for communicating air thereacross; and means including heat transfer means for conditioning fresh outside air and for introducing a sufficient volume of said conditioned air into said vestibule to at least partially pressurize said area, said means further including an air curtain closure located in the other of said openings for introducing said sufficient volume.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
58 words
The combination as recited in claim 34 further comprising second closure means located in the other of said openings, and at least one generally hollow column supporting said second closure means and extending vertically of said other opening, said column having a discharge opening for directing conditioned air across said other opening to provide said air curtain closure.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
24 words
The combination as recited in claim 35 further comprising a plenum chamber for communicating conditioned air from said air conditioning means to said column.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-08-29 | 1976-02-28 | 1976-08-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-08-29 | 1980-02-28 | 1980-08-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-08-29 | 1984-02-28 | 1984-08-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |