Safety gate operator which prevents entrapment, and method of its operation
US6091217A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 29, 1998 |
| Grant date | Jul 18, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 29, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC E)Fixed Constructions
- CPC primaryE05Y2900/40
- WIPO fieldCivil engineering
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
An automatic gate operator includes an electric drive motor coupled by a drive train to a movable gate, and includes provisions for sensing an actual or impending obstruction or blockage of the movement of the gate by a human, object, or animal, for example. In response to such an actual or impending blocking of the gate's movement, the drive motor is shut off and the gate is braked to a stop. Then the gate is reversed to move a short distance away from the actual or impending blockage or obstruction, and is braked again to a stop. Next, the gate is freed from its connection with the drive motor, allowing manual movement of the gate to allow clearance of the actual or impending blockage or obstruction from the path of the gate. This stop-reverse-stop-release sequence of movements for the gate may release any entrapped person or object which may have been contacted by the moving gate. Also, after the gate is released for free movement it can be moved manually. This release of the gate allows an entangled person, object, or animal to free themselves, or to be freed by a bystander, for example. The gate operator also includes a control circuit which senses traffic conditions and respo…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.