US5082316A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Release mechanism and method with alarm circuit
Assignee: Cookson Co
•
Filing: 1990-12-14
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Granted: 1992-01-21
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Expires: 2010-12-14
Abstract
Abstract Release mechanism and method for fire doors and the like. The door is normally held in an open position by an electrically energized actuator and is released for closing upon deenergization of the actuator. An eneergizing current is supplied to the actuator from a source to energize the actuator, and a limited amount of energy from the source is stored in an element such as a capacitor. Upon interruption of the current from the source to the actuator, the actuator is energized with the stored energy to prevent the door from closing for a limited period of time after the current is interrupted. An alarm circuit is included in some embodiments to porivde a warning when the current has been interrupted and the door is about to close.
Inventors
- 👤 Russell Wardlaw
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 21:33
CPC Classifications
E; E05; E05B; E05B47/00; E05B47/0001; E05B47/0002; E05B47/06; E05B47/0607; E05B2047/0072; E05B2047/0076; E05B47/0006; E05C; E05C17/00; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S292/00; Y10S292/36; Y10T; Y10T292/00; Y10T292/08; Y10T292/1043; Y10T292/1075; Y10T292/1082
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 26
Claim 1
Independent Claim
104 words
In a release mechanism: a retaining member, electrically operated means for holding the retaining member in a holding position when energized and for releasing the retaining member from the holding position when deenergized, an alarm device, a source for supplying an energizing current to the electrically operated means, and means connected to the source and to the electrically operated means and to the alarm device for storing a limited amount of energy from the source and delivering an energizing current to the electrically operated means and to the alarm device for a limited period of time after interruption of the current from the source.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
104 words
In a release mechanism: a retaining member, electrically operated means for holding the retaining member in a holding position when energized and for releasing the retaining member from the holding position when deenergized, an alarm device, a source for supplying an energizing current to the electrically operated means, and means connected to the source and to the electrically operated means and to the alarm device for storing a limited amount of energy from the source and delivering an energizing current to the electrically operated means and to the alarm device for a limited period of time after interruption of the current from the source.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The mechanism of claim 1 wherein the means for storing energy and delivering current comprises a capacitor.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
The mechanism of claim 1 wherein the means for storing energy and delivering current comprises a first capacitor connected to the electrically operated means and a second capacitor connected to the alarm device.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
121 words
In a release mechanism: a retaining member, an electrically energized coil for magnetically holding the retaining member in a holding position when energized and for releasing the retaining member from the holding position when deenergized, a source for supplying an energizing current to the coil, a first capacitor connected to the source and to the coil for storing energy from the source and delivering an energizing current to the coil for a limited period of time after interruption of the current from the source, an alarm device, a second capacitor for storing energy from the source, and means for delivering an energizing current from the second capacitor to the alarm device in response to an interruption of current from the source.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
121 words
In a release mechanism: a retaining member, an electrically energized coil for magnetically holding the retaining member in a holding position when energized and for releasing the retaining member from the holding position when deenergized, a source for supplying an energizing current to the coil, a first capacitor connected to the source and to the coil for storing energy from the source and delivering an energizing current to the coil for a limited period of time after interruption of the current from the source, an alarm device, a second capacitor for storing energy from the source, and means for delivering an energizing current from the second capacitor to the alarm device in response to an interruption of current from the source.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
130 words
In combination: a door movable between open and closed positions, means urging the door toward its closed position, a retaining member connected to the door for holding the door in its open position, electrically operated means for holding the retaining member in a holding position when energized and for releasing the retaining member from the holding position when deenergized, an alarm device, a source for supplying an energizing current to the electrically operated means, and means connected to the source and to the electrically operated means and to the alarm device for storing a limited amount of energy from the source and delivering an energizing current to the electrically operated means and to the alarm device for a limited period of time after interruption of the current from the source.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
130 words
In combination: a door movable between open and closed positions, means urging the door toward its closed position, a retaining member connected to the door for holding the door in its open position, electrically operated means for holding the retaining member in a holding position when energized and for releasing the retaining member from the holding position when deenergized, an alarm device, a source for supplying an energizing current to the electrically operated means, and means connected to the source and to the electrically operated means and to the alarm device for storing a limited amount of energy from the source and delivering an energizing current to the electrically operated means and to the alarm device for a limited period of time after interruption of the current from the source.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
The combination of claim 5 wherein the means for storing energy and delivering current comprises a capacitor.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
33 words
The combination of claim 5 wherein the means for storing energy and delivering current comprises a first capacitor connected to the electrically operated means and a second capacitor connected to the alarm device.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
126 words
In method of operating a release mechanism having a retaining member, an electrically operated actuator for holding the retaining member in a holding position when energized and for releasing the retaining member from the holding position when deenergized, and an electrically actuated alarm device, the steps of: supplying an energizing current to the actuator from a source to energize the actuator, storing a limited amount of energy from the source, interrupting the delivery of current from the source to the actuator, energizing the actuator with a portion of the stored energy to prevent release of the retaining member for a limited period of time after the current is interrupted, and actuating the alarm device with a portion of the stored energy when the current is interrupted.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
126 words
In method of operating a release mechanism having a retaining member, an electrically operated actuator for holding the retaining member in a holding position when energized and for releasing the retaining member from the holding position when deenergized, and an electrically actuated alarm device, the steps of: supplying an energizing current to the actuator from a source to energize the actuator, storing a limited amount of energy from the source, interrupting the delivery of current from the source to the actuator, energizing the actuator with a portion of the stored energy to prevent release of the retaining member for a limited period of time after the current is interrupted, and actuating the alarm device with a portion of the stored energy when the current is interrupted.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 8 wherein the energy is stored in a capacitor.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method of claim 8 wherein the portion of the energy with which the actuator is energized is stored in a first capacitor, and the portion of the energy with which the alarm device is actuated is stored in a second capacitor.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
109 words
In a release mechanism: a retaining member, electrically controlled means for holding the retaining member in a holding position, an alarm device, a source of electrical energy, storage means for storing energy from the source, means responsive to an interruption of current from the source for supplying energy from the storage means to the electrically controlled means to cause the retaining member to be released from the holding position a predetermined time after the interruption, and means responsive to the interruption for supplying an operating current from the storage means to the alarm device to actuate the alarm device before the retaining member is released from the holding position.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
109 words
In a release mechanism: a retaining member, electrically controlled means for holding the retaining member in a holding position, an alarm device, a source of electrical energy, storage means for storing energy from the source, means responsive to an interruption of current from the source for supplying energy from the storage means to the electrically controlled means to cause the retaining member to be released from the holding position a predetermined time after the interruption, and means responsive to the interruption for supplying an operating current from the storage means to the alarm device to actuate the alarm device before the retaining member is released from the holding position.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
35 words
The release mechanism of claim 11 wherein the storage means comprises a first capacitor for supplying energy to the electrically controlled means and a second capacitor for supplying the operating current to the alarm device.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
67 words
The release mechanism of claim 11 wherein the means for supplying the operating current from the storage means to the alarm device comprises a relay having a set of normally closed contacts connected between the storage means and the alarm device, and an operating coil energized by current from the source for holding the contacts in an open position until the current from the source is interrupted.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
140 words
In combination: a door movable between open and closed positions, means urging the door toward its closed position, a retaining member connected to the door and having a holding position for holding the door in its open position, electrically controlled means for holding the retaining member in its holding position, an alarm device, a source of electrical energy, storage means for storing energy from the source, means responsive to an interruption of current from the source for supplying energy from the storage means to the electrically controlled means to cause the retaining member to be released from its holding position a predetermined time after the interruption, and means responsive to the interruption for supplying an operating current from the storage means to the alarm device to actuate the alarm device before the retaining member is released from its holding position.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
140 words
In combination: a door movable between open and closed positions, means urging the door toward its closed position, a retaining member connected to the door and having a holding position for holding the door in its open position, electrically controlled means for holding the retaining member in its holding position, an alarm device, a source of electrical energy, storage means for storing energy from the source, means responsive to an interruption of current from the source for supplying energy from the storage means to the electrically controlled means to cause the retaining member to be released from its holding position a predetermined time after the interruption, and means responsive to the interruption for supplying an operating current from the storage means to the alarm device to actuate the alarm device before the retaining member is released from its holding position.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
34 words
The combination of claim 14 wherein the storage means comprises a first capacitor for supplying energy to the electrically controlled means and a second capacitor for supplying the operating current to the alarm device.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
66 words
The combination of claim 14 wherein the means for supplying the operating current from the storage means to the alarm device comprises a relay having a set of normally closed contacts connected between the storage means and the alarm device, and an operating coil energized by current from the source for holding the contacts in an open position until the current from the source is interrupted.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
93 words
In method of operating a release mechanism having a retaining member, an electrically operated actuator for moving the retaining member between holding and releasing positions, and an electrically actuated alarm device, the steps of: storing energy from a power source, detecting an interruption of current from the source, energizing the actuator with a portion of the stored energy so that the retaining member moves to the releasing position a predetermined time after the current is interrupted, and actuating the alarm device with a portion of the stored energy when the current is interrupted.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
93 words
In method of operating a release mechanism having a retaining member, an electrically operated actuator for moving the retaining member between holding and releasing positions, and an electrically actuated alarm device, the steps of: storing energy from a power source, detecting an interruption of current from the source, energizing the actuator with a portion of the stored energy so that the retaining member moves to the releasing position a predetermined time after the current is interrupted, and actuating the alarm device with a portion of the stored energy when the current is interrupted.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 17 wherein the energy is stored in a capacitor.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method of claim 17 wherein the portion of the energy with which the actuator is energized is stored in a first capacitor, and the portion of the energy with which the alarm device is actuated is stored in a second capacitor.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1995-01-20 | 1995-07-22 | 1996-01-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-01-20 | 1999-07-22 | 2000-01-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-01-20 | 2003-07-22 | 2004-01-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |