US3285209A

US3285209A - Revolving door safety system

Info

Publication number: US3285209A
Application number: US432115A
Authority: US
Inventors: Pace Thomas
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1965-02-12
Filing date: 1965-02-12
Publication date: 1966-11-15
Anticipated expiration: 1983-11-15

Description

NOV. 15, 1966 T, PACE 3,285,209

REVOLVING DOOR SAFETY SYSTEM Filed Feb. 12, 1965 2 Sheets-Sheet l ATTO R N EY Nov. 15, 1966 T. PACE 3,285,209

REVOLVING DOOR SAFETY SYSTEM Filed Feb. l2, 1965 2 Slfleets-Sheel 2 TlclJE.

INVENTOR /am//J P445 'i427 154i @u 'SYM f@ ATTORNEY United States Patent O 3,285,209 REVOLVING DOOR SAFETY SYSTEM Thomas Pace, 253 W. 73rd St., New York, N.Y. Filed Feb. 12, 1965, Ser. No. 432,115 Claims. (Cl. 109-8) This invention relates to a revolving doo-r safety system and in particular is directed to a revolving door locking mechanism for holding fast a revolving door in response to an intelligence stimulus initiated lby a desire to intercept Iand apprehend an interloper or thief.

In ibanks, hotels `and other institutions dea-.ling with the general public and wherein valuable and the like are likely to be stored, there is a temptation on the part of the criminal oriented to partake of such valuables through the connivance of forceful means, such as guns, threatening notes, and etc., and thereafter absoond through the vgeneral .public entrance into the ambient surroundings of the community.

Invariably, the entrance and exit doors of such institutions are revolving doors, since they appear to :be the most convenient and reliable from a view of operation, space, drafts and space occupied. Such doors and their operation as to the apprehending of abscondng thiefs are .the subject matter of the instant application.

In general, the invention consists of a revolving door having at .the upper portion thereof an electrically driven locking mechanism, remotely operated .by `a person having access to the control mechanism, which locks the doors in a position so `as to trap anyone within the coniines of the revolving door between the outside area and the area inside the building. The release 05E such mechanism, to lfree the locking mechanism and thereby permit the door to revolve, is also remotely controlled so as to permit the locking mechanism to re-cycle and set for another cycle olf operation.

l It is therefore an object of the invention to provide an improved safety control system for apprehending offenders.

Another object of the linvention is to provide a revolving door remotely controlled locking system for confining undesirables lwithin the contines of the said revolving door.

Another object of the invention is to provide revolving door saffety syste-m which can he remotely controlled for locking the said revolving door and thereafter released for re-cycling to permit a new cycle lof operation.

Other lob-jects and advantages will -be readily discernalble from a reading of the specifications and a study of the accompanying drawings and wherein;

FIGURE 1 shows a plan view of a public accommodation enclosure and a revolving door for the convenience of incoming and outgoing patrons.

FIGURE 2 shows an enlarged plan view of a revolving door similar to FIGURE 1 and a locking-release mechanism according to the invention.

FIGURE 3 shows a sectional view through the line 3-3 of FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 4 shows a partial plan View of FIGURE 3 and the lock-release 4mechanism in engagement position.

FIGURE 5 shows a detail of the release mechanism for disengaging the locking device from the revolving door.

FIGURE 6 shows a schematic control diagram for operating the lock-release mechanism according to the invention.l

FIGURE 7 shows a circumferentially slotted camtype plate revolving attachment for receiving in locking engagement the lock-release mechanism.

Now referring to the draw-ings, keeping in mind that similar or like parts will be designated hy the same reference numbers, there is 4shown particularly in FIGURES 1 and 2 an accommodation enclosure 1 for .the general public 3,285,209 Patented Nov. 15, 1966 ice where access thereto and exit therefrom is through a revolving door type structure 2.

In general, the revolving door structure 2 is comprised of a cylindrical central :column or beam 3 to which is attached four elongated panels 4 arr-ange in a cross-like Afashion so that the panels yare orthogonal to each other and encompass quarter sections of Va circular plain transverse or radial to the column. The four panels and column revolve as a single unit within a cylindrical-like shell or enclosure 6. The said cylindrical-like enclosure 1 comprises a pair of oppositely spaced quarter wall segments 7 and 8, each having an arc whose length encompases a quarter segment of the revolving door. The other quarter segments 9 and 10 are open spaces for exposure internally and externally of the enclosure 1, through which the general public appears and uses.

A-top the revolving door structure 2 and attached to the upper portion of wall segments 7 and 8, there is an enclosure 11 having disposed therein a lock and release mechanism, as shown in FIGURES 2 and 3, and forming in part the subject matter of this invention. In particular there is shown in said enclosure 11 a base 12 having centrally voriented a hole 13 for receiving structural revolving door column 3, the said `column being pivot-ally supported in a hearing support 14 atop of said hole and base.

The bearing support 14 has reposing thereon along one of its exposed surfaces 15a, a cantilever-like slotted cam :plate 15. The cam plate 15 is centrally drilled to permit the journalling of column 3 therein and therethrough. The column and cam plate are each axially slotted at quarterly spaced positions 16r to permit key members 17 to snugly repose in keyways defined by said slots and thereby permitting the rotation o-f the cam plate with the rotating column and door as a single integrated unit. Along the outer periphery of said cam plate there are slots 18 spaced at quarterly intervals and each disposed to lie at a position midway between the angles formed by a pair of adjacent panels forming the revolving Idoor when .the said plate is positioned on the supporting column 3. The outer periphery of the cam plate between adjoining slots 19 takes on a a spiral-like contour so that adjacent sides 20 yand 21 of each slot `are unequal in a radial direction. The reason Ifo-r this will be described later.

Along the .base 12 of the enclosure 11 and' attached thereto along the outer periphery thereof is a relay operated mechanism assembly 22 comprising a solenoid coil l23 wound about an elongated plunger or armature arm 24, and `supported .by a pair of spaced apertured

brackets

25 and 26. The hracket support arm `guides the plunger in a direction towards the said cam plate so as to position same in one of the cam slots to effect the stoppage thereof in its rotational movements corresponding to the movements of the revolving door.

Mounted to the plunger arm 24, intermediate the said spaced apart

brackets

25 and 26 is a disc-like washer 27 forming the support for coil spring 28 surrounding the said plunger between the support washer Iand bracket 26. Inward movements of the plunger, away yfrom the cam plate, compresses the spring 28, and release of the said plunger from the holding action initiated by the solenoid y23 causes the spring to expand and force the plunger arm outward toward t-he cam plate and into one of the slotted portions thereof.

Attached to the plunger arm 24 intermediate the solenoid coil 23 and bracket 26 is -a shoulder piece or bracket 29, radially protruding from the plunger and disposed to intercept a holding plate 30 forming a portion of a holding relay device 31 mounted to the base 12 of enclosure 11 and positioned transversely to relay mechanism 22.

'Ihe holding relay device 31 comprises a holding solenoid coil 32 surrounding an elongated armature plunger arm 33 which is coextensive with a heavier arm 34 and which is in turn supported by a pair of spaced apart apertured bracket-s 35 and 36. At the extremity of said arm 34, remote from the solenoid coil 32, there is pivotally attached thereto within a recessed portion 35 thereof, a holding plate 30, pivotally supported about the center thereof by support pin 37. The holding plate has freedom of motion in a counter-clockwise direction to an -angular position as defined by bearing surface or stop 38 forming the extremity of arm 34. The holding plate is restored to its original position, the axial direction of the `arm 34, by :a restoring spring 39. The plate is iixedly held in this axial direction by that rear portion of the plate 40 residing on surf-ace 41 Iforming a side of the recess 35.

In operation, while the revolving door is free to rotate,

relay mechanism 22 has its plunger ar-m 24 withdrawn,

against the pressure of coil spring 28, it being held in this position by the abutment of the shoulder Abracket 29 attached thereto with the holding plate 30 forming a part of the holding relay device 31. To release plunger 24, momentary contact control button 42, shown in control diagram of FIGURE 6, is impressed so as t-o actuate solenoid 31. The actuation of coil 31 causes plunger 34 to withdraw against a normally operative restoring 4force thus permitting the disengagement abuting bracket 29 and plate 30 and the plunging forward of arm 24 in a direction to intercept the 4cam plate. The plunger ar-m engages the -rst available cam slot, thereby causing the revolving door to stop immediately. It may be possible at certain times that because of the high speed of the revolving door, the plunger will not immediately intercept the first available slot. To avoid this limitation, the cam plate has a spiral contour so that the plunger will have a high protruding wall sl-ot to intercept the driving plunger.

Because of the orientation of the cam plate relative to the revolving door panels, the door will stop at a position where each of the opposing enclosure walls 7 and 8 will embrace opposing one-quarter segments of the revolving door, the other segments being exposed to both the internal and external enclosure parts. The wall segments of the revolving door, under lock conditions, permits the retention and con-iinement of any persons within the sphere occupied by the wall and door segments to the detriment of any undesirable persons.

It may be appreciated, however, that confinement will ordinarily take place Within the segment 49 bounded by Wall portion 7 and that segment defined

lby door panels

50 and 51. When such undesirables are so apprehended, it is possible to have innocent persons conned in that segment 52 diametrically opposed to segment 49. To release such innocent persons, a door 53 is provided which opens into the enclosure.

To release the locking mechanism, momentary contact push-button 54 is impressed to permit Vthe energization of relay coil 32, thereby pulling back plunger 24, until its shoulder bracket 29 intercepts plate 30. Plate 30 undergoes an angular movement, -as shown in FIGURE 5, until the bracket 29 is made freely clear thereof, at which time the plate goes back again to it-s original position. The plunger 24 thereafter again, through the abutment of bracket 29 and plate 30, is free from the cam plate slots `and is ready for another cycle of operation.

There is shown in FIGURE 7 another arrangement of the cam slot and plunger. In particular, the slots and plunger tip are tapered to form a more positive mesh when they are operatively engaged. v

It may be appreciated that certain changes in form and design may be made without detracting from the true purpose and intent of the invention as defined and embodied herein.

Having dened the invention, what is claimed is:

1. In an enclosure having a revolving door for the entrance and exit of the general public, a remote control door lock and release system comprising,

(a) a revolving door including a central supporting column,

(b) an enclosure above said door and disposed to receive and support the column at the upper extremity thereof,

(c) a -slot-ted cam plate within said enclosure and supported by said column and disposed to rotate therewith in a predetermined position,

(d) means including a pair of Ksolenoidally remotely operated interacting elongated plunger mechanisms each supported by said enclosure, one of said mechanisms intercepting said cam plate along the slotted portion thereof in response to said door lock remote control actuating the other solenoid operated mechanism to lock the door in a predetermined position, said other plunger mechanism being disposed to interact with the rst plunger mechanism in response to the door release control for actuating the solenoid of said first plunger to permit the release of said lirst plunger from the slotted cam plate and thereby unlock the door to permit another cycle of operation.

2. In an enclosure according to claim 1 and wherein said plunger means is a relay operated armature surrounded by resilient means disposed to urge the plunger in =a direction to intercept the cam slotted plate.

3. In an enclosure according to claim 2 and wherein said resilient means is a coil spring.

4. In an enclosure according to claim 1 and wherein said release means includes a relay actuated arm disposed to disengage from said plunger means.

5. In an enclosure having a revolving door for the entrance and exit of the general public, a remote control door lock and release system comprising,

(a) a four-quarter segment revolving door including a central supporting column,

(b) an enclosure above said door and disposed to receive and support a column at the upper extremity thereof,

(c) a cam plate having tapered slotted portions along the periphery thereof, each slot positioned midway each segment of the door within the said enclosure and supported by said column and disposed to rotate therewith in a predetermined position,

(d) means including a pair of solenoidally remotely operated interacting elongated plunger mechanisms each supported by said enclosure, one of said mechanisms intercepting said cam plate along the slotted portion thereof in response to said door lock remote control yactuating the other solenoid operated mechanism to lock the door lin a predetermined position, said other plunger mechanism being disposed to interact with the first plunger mechanism in response to the door release control for actuating the solenoid of said irst plunger to permit the release of said irst plunger from the slotted cam plate and thereby unlock the door to permit another cycle of operation.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,022,684 4/ 1912 Kleinbaum 109-8 1,361,317 12/ 1920 Stempkowski 292--144 1,406,788 2/ 1922 Weinmann 109-8 1,558,058 10/ 1925 Spottswood 109-8 1,952,393 3/ 1934 Tigue 109-8 REINALDO P. MACHADO, Primary Examiner.

Claims

1. IN AN ENCLOSURE HAVING A REVOLVING DOOR FOR THE ENTRANCE AND EXIT OF THE GENERAL PUBLIC, A REMOTE CONTROL DOOR LOCK AND RELEASE SYSTEM COMPRISING, (A) A REVOLVING DOOR INCLUDING A CENTRAL SUPPORTING COLUMN, (B) AN ENCLOSURE ABOVE SAID DOOR AND DISPOSED TO RECEIVE AND SUPPORT THE COLUMN AT THE UPPER EXTREMITY THEREOF, (C) A SLOTTED CAM PLATE WITHIN SAID ENCLOSURE AND SUPPORTED BY SAID COLUMN AND DISPOSED TO ROTATE THEREWITH IN A PREDETERMINED POSITION, (D) MEANS INCLUDING A PAIR OF SOLENOIDALLY REMOTELY OPERATED INTERACTING ELONGATED PLUNGER MECHANISMS EACH SUPPORTED BY SAID ENCLOSURE, ONE OF SID MECHANISMS INTERCEPTING SAID CAM PLATE ALONG THE SLOTTED PORTION THEREOF IN RESPONSE TO SAID DOOR LOCK REMOTE CONTROL ACTUATING THE OTHER SOLENOID OPERATED MECHANISM TO LOCK THE DOOR IN A PREDETERMINED POSITION, SAID OTHER PLUNGER MECHANISM BEING DISPOSED TO INTERACT WITH THE FIRST PLUNGER MECHANISM IN RESPONSE TO THE DOOR RELEASE CONTROL FOR ACTUATING THE SOLENOID OF SAID FIRST PLUNGER TO PERMIT THE RELEASE OF SAID FIRST PLUNGER FROM THE SLOTTED CAM PLATE AND THEREBY UNLOCK THE DOOR TO PERMIT ANOTHER CYCLE OF OPERATION.