US5666106A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Accessway with grounding sensor
Assignee: Round Rock Research LLC
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Filing: 1996-09-04
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Granted: 1997-09-09
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Expires: 2016-09-04
Abstract
Abstract An electronically controlled accessway includes a touch pad mounted to or immediately in front of, a door panel. A step plate is positioned immediately in front of the door. A user stands on the step plate to open the door and contacts the touch pad. A grounding sensor coupled to the touch pad and the step plate detects resistance between the touch pad and the step plate. If the resistance between the touch pad and the step plate is within a designated range, the grounding sensor releases an electronically controlled locking mechanism to permit the door to be opened. If the grounding sensor detects that the person is not properly grounded, the grounding sensor leaves the locking mechanism engaged to prevent the person from entering the statically sensitive area. In one embodiment, the door panel is pivotable about conventional hinges and the touch pad is integral to the door handle. In another embodiment, the door is a revolving door and the touch pad is integral to push plates mounted to the revolving door panels. In another embodiment the door is an electronically driven sliding door and the touch pad is mounted separately from the door panel. In this embodiment, the touch pad is mounted adjacent the door and the step plate is mounted directly in front of the door. When a properly grounded person stands on the step plate and touches the touch pad, the sensor activates an electronic door opener, thereby opening the door.
Inventors
- 👤 James M. Nasman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 18:38
CPC Classifications
G; G08; G08B; G08B21/00; G08B21/18; G08B21/182
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 26
Claim 1
Independent Claim
199 words
A controlled accessway for a controlled area, comprising: an entry limiting device movable from a closed position to an open position in response to contact from a person, the entry limiting device being positioned to provide access to the controlled area; an electrically controllable locking mechanism configured to selectively control the movement of the entry limiting device between the closed position and the open position, the electrically controllable locking mechanism preventing the entry limiting device from moving from the closed position to the open position in response to an enter signal having a first state and allowing the entry limiting device to move from the closed position to the open position in response to the enter signal having a second state; a touch pad associated with the entry limiting device and positioned and shaped for contact by the person; a step plate positioned adjacent to the entry limiting device; and a grounding sensor electrically coupled to the locking mechanism, the touch pad and the step plate, the grounding sensor being configured to generate the enter signal having the second state in response to the resistance between the touch pad and the step plate being lower than a predetermined value.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
199 words
A controlled accessway for a controlled area, comprising: an entry limiting device movable from a closed position to an open position in response to contact from a person, the entry limiting device being positioned to provide access to the controlled area; an electrically controllable locking mechanism configured to selectively control the movement of the entry limiting device between the closed position and the open position, the electrically controllable locking mechanism preventing the entry limiting device from moving from the closed position to the open position in response to an enter signal having a first state and allowing the entry limiting device to move from the closed position to the open position in response to the enter signal having a second state; a touch pad associated with the entry limiting device and positioned and shaped for contact by the person; a step plate positioned adjacent to the entry limiting device; and a grounding sensor electrically coupled to the locking mechanism, the touch pad and the step plate, the grounding sensor being configured to generate the enter signal having the second state in response to the resistance between the touch pad and the step plate being lower than a predetermined value.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
13 words
The accessway of claim 1 wherein the entry limiting device is a door.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The accessway of claim 2 wherein the door includes a door handle and the touch pad is integral to the door handle.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
The accessway of claim 3 wherein the door is operable by rotation about a pivot axis.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
The accessway of claim 4 wherein the handle is a substantially planar pressure pad.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
The accessway of claim 4 wherein the handle is shaped for grasping by the hand of the user.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
38 words
The accessway of claim 4 wherein the door is a revolving door having a plurality of door panels and the touch pad includes a plurality of path plates, each mounted to a respective one of the door panels.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
The accessway of claim 1, further comprising a visual indicator positioned for viewing by the person, the visual indicator being coupled to a grounding sensor.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
93 words
An entryway enabling apparatus for opening a door, comprising: a first member mountable to the door and shaped for contact by a hand of a user, the first member including a first exposed conductive surface; a conductive step pad; a door control mechanism responsive to an entryway enabling signal to permit the door to open; and an electronic grounding sensor electrically coupled to the conductive surface and the step pad, the grounding sensor configured to produce the entryway enabling signal when a grounded person contacts the step pad and the conductive surface simultaneously.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
93 words
An entryway enabling apparatus for opening a door, comprising: a first member mountable to the door and shaped for contact by a hand of a user, the first member including a first exposed conductive surface; a conductive step pad; a door control mechanism responsive to an entryway enabling signal to permit the door to open; and an electronic grounding sensor electrically coupled to the conductive surface and the step pad, the grounding sensor configured to produce the entryway enabling signal when a grounded person contacts the step pad and the conductive surface simultaneously.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
19 words
The entryway enabling apparatus of claim 9, further including a locking mechanism coupled for activation by the grounding sensor.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
58 words
The entryway enabling apparatus of claim 10 for use with a revolving door having a plurality of door panels, further comprising a second member including a second exposed conductive surface, the second exposed conductive surface being electrically coupled to the grounding sensor, wherein the first and second members are separately mountable to respective ones of the door panels.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
37 words
The entryway enabling apparatus of claim 9, further comprising an electronic door opener coupled to the grounding sensor, the door opener being responsive to open the door in response to an actuating signal from the grounding sensor.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
25 words
The entryway enabling apparatus of claim 9 wherein the first member is a door handle, further comprising a door latch coupled to the door handle.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
27 words
The entryway enabling apparatus of claim 13, further comprising an electrically controlled locking mechanism separate from the door latch and coupled for activation by the grounding sensor.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
29 words
The entryway enabling apparatus of claim 9, further comprising a visual indicator mounted for viewing by a user, the visual indicator being coupled for activation by the grounding sensor.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
51 words
A method of detecting grounding equipment operability, comprising the steps of: mounting a contact pad to a door; positioning a step pad adjacent the door; detecting an impedance between the contact pad and the step pad; and when the detected impedance is above a selected impedance, preventing the door from opening.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
51 words
A method of detecting grounding equipment operability, comprising the steps of: mounting a contact pad to a door; positioning a step pad adjacent the door; detecting an impedance between the contact pad and the step pad; and when the detected impedance is above a selected impedance, preventing the door from opening.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 16 wherein the step of mounting the contact pad on the door includes the steps of: positioning the contact pad on a push pad; and mounting the push pad to the door.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 16 wherein the contact pad is integral to a door handle and the step of positioning the contact pad on the door comprises the step of mounting the door handle to the door.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
48 words
The method of claim 16 where the door includes a door handle further including the step of detecting attempted activation of the door handle and the step of blocking the door from opening includes disabling the door handle such that such attempted actuation does not open the door.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
73 words
A method of providing access to a person at a statically sensitive facility, comprising the steps of: mounting an entry limiting assembly of an access location of the facility; electronically sensing the grounding state of the person; producing an electrical signal indicating the sensed grounding state of the person; providing the electrical signal to an electronically controlled opening assembly; and enabling opening of the entry limiting assembly in response to the electrical signal.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
73 words
A method of providing access to a person at a statically sensitive facility, comprising the steps of: mounting an entry limiting assembly of an access location of the facility; electronically sensing the grounding state of the person; producing an electrical signal indicating the sensed grounding state of the person; providing the electrical signal to an electronically controlled opening assembly; and enabling opening of the entry limiting assembly in response to the electrical signal.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 20 wherein the step of enabling opening of the entry limiting assembly comprises the step of releasing a locking mechanism.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
43 words
The method of claim 20 wherein the opening assembly is an electronic door opener, further comprising the step of, in response to the electrical signal, moving the entry limiting assembly from a closed position to an open position with the electronic door opener.
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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) | 2000-09-08 | 2001-03-10 | 2001-09-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-09-08 | 2005-03-10 | 2005-09-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-09-08 | 2009-03-10 | 2009-09-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |