Resilient edges for power operated doors

Abstract

A pair of flexible interlocking edges for power operated doors primarily used on mass transit vehicles such as subway cars. If door closing is prevented, edge design allows withdrawal of obstructions, including deformable objects caught in the interstices of mating edges.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONSThe application relates to the subject matter disclosed and claimed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,280,754, the specification of which is incorporated herein by reference. Said patent and the invention disclosed and claimed herein being assigned to the same assignee. This invention relates generally to flexible edges used to seal edges of power operated doors used on mass transit vehicles. More specifically, this invention relates to improved removal of obstructions to closing doors in day-to-day vehicle operation.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONIt is well known that efficient operation of mass transit vehicles is highly dependent on moving passengers into and out of the vehicles in allotted time. If, after opening, doors are obstructed or prevented from closing for various reasons, design of the vehicle is such that the entire train is prevented from moving. If with presently used edges the obstruction is of the type that essentially allows the doors to close ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The particular seal configuration utilizes mating or interlocking edges to seal doors in a closed position. When closed, the abutting door edges define an interstice or inter-edge space. On closing, a deformable material, such as cloth, carrying straps or some sort of other deformable material made of cloth, including belts, coats, sleeves, and scarfs, are located within the interstices and held by the edges. Under these conditions, force on any of the above-mentioned deformable material, if applied in the preferred direction and essentially perpendicular to the door panel face, interstitial spaces are substantially increased, thereby decreasing the amount of friction between the deformable material and the interlocking edge, and greatly reducing the force required to withdraw the deformable object from its trapped position.

In an alternate situation, if a substantial, non-deformable object, deemed a deformable obstruction, is trapped between the resilient edges, the configuration of this invention acts to prevent further door motion. In this situation, obstruction of the door closing is relatively large and, given the door control system, vehicular motion is prevented.

The novel door edge disclosed herein facilitates withdrawal of trapped deformable obstructions while detecting substantial obstructions, and is, therefore, a substantial step forward in the art of transit car operation and an associated reduction of passenger hazards during car operation.

Problems solved by technology

If with presently used edges the obstruction is of the type that essentially allows the doors to close with a deformable obstruction such as clothing and / or straps used to hold purses or cameras trapped between door edges, removal is very difficult, and a passenger hazard exists.

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