CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
The 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 INVENTION
It 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 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.
The invention disclosed herein comprises use of resilient door edges which are in abutment for the doors in a closed position. The edges are configured to prevent train movement if the doors are obstructed by a substantial object and allow easy withdrawal of deformable material from a preferred direction, as mentioned above, from a trapped or captured position between abutting edges.
Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide a resilient sealing edge for bi-parting power operated doors suitable for use in door systems controlling passenger flows into and out of a mass transit vehicle, wherein door closure and train movement is prevented when a substantial obstruction to door closing is present.
It is an additional object of the invention to provide a resilient sealing edge for the above-mentioned mass transit vehicle whereby deformable objects captured by abutting door edge seals can be easily withdrawn.
It is a further object of the invention to provide a sealing door edge for power operated doors suitable for use on a mass transit vehicle wherein for a door closed position, the interstices between abutting increase on withdrawal of a trapped deformable object.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A resilient sealing edge is located at the passenger interface intermediate abutting edges of bi-parting doors used to control passenger ingress and egress in a mass transit vehicle.
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.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a front view of a portion of a typical transit vehicle wherein the edges disclosed in this invention can be used.
FIG. 2 is a partial section along the lines 2--2 of FIG. 1 particularly showing in section the edges of the invention attached to bi-parting door panels in a partially closed and unobstructed position.
FIG. 3 is an additional front view of a typical transit car utilizing the edges of the invention, particularly showing the edges having a substantial obstruction trapped between the edges.
FIG. 4 is a section along the lines 4--4 of FIG. 3 showing in section the edges of the invention and the substantial obstruction of FIG. 3 with the doors in a partially closed position and particularly showing the substantial obstruction between the edges of the invention.
FIG. 5 is an additional partial section of the edges of the invention particularly showing the door panels in an unobstructed fully closed position.
FIG. 6 is a partial section with the edges of the invention attached to door panels, particularly showing a deformable obstruction trapped in the edge interstices.
FIG. 7 is an additional partial section of the edges of the invention similar to FIG. 6, particularly showing action of the elements of the edges of the invention during removal of the deformable obstruction.
While the invention will be described in connection with a preferred embodiment, it will be understood that it is not intended to limit the invention to that embodiment. On the contrary, it is intended to cover all alternatives, modifications and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION
With particular reference to FIG. 1, there is shown a partial representation of a car body 2 showing bi-parting door leaves 4 and 5 driven by power operators 6 to open and closed position over an opening 3 in the side wall of car body 2. Also shown are door obstruction sensing and free-wheeling panel detection switch assemblies 12 and 14 (not a part of the invention, but disclosed in more detail in above-mentioned U.S. Pat. No. 5,280,754. Door panels 4 and 5 are mounted in car body 2 by saltable hanger means (not shown) and are moved from opened to closed over the opening 3 through drive arm assemblies 7. The internal or mating edges of door panels 4 and 5 constituting the door/passenger interface, have edges 8 and 10, respectively, attached thereto.
Turning now to FIG. 2, there is shown in partial cross-section passenger interface edges 8 and 10 attached to door panels 4 and 5, respectively. As shown, panel surfaces 7 and 9 face the inside of car body 2, whereas, surfaces 11 and 13 are outside surfaces, respectively, of panels 4 and 5.
As shown (reference FIG. 2), edge 10 includes a tongue-like projection 22 having a nominal length 26 projecting from a base 20. A continuous internal, longitudinal cavity 24 is strategically located internal of and parallel to the tongue 22, adjacent the base 20. Additional details of left hand edge 10 and its contribution to the objects of this invention will be covered in more detail.
The right hand mating or cooperating edge 8 includes a base 37 suitably fastened to door panel 4, as shown. Projecting from the base 37 is a projection 36 adjacent the inside surface of panel 7 and a projection 38 having a taper of 5° from said outer or inner projection base to end and adjacent the outside surface of panel 4, thereby forming a recess or cavity 40. A longitudinal groove 42 projecting into the base 37 is located adjacent the outer projection 38 and having a taper of 12° from the base to the end of the projection, as shown. As in the case of edge 10 discussed above, further details of the projections 36, 38, and groove 42 and their importance in the invention disclosed herein will be further discussed in more detail.
Now turning to FIGS. 3 and 4, FIG. 3 shows door panels 4 and 5 in a partially closed position wherein edges 8 and 10 have essentially trapped a substantial obstruction 55 to door closing. Shown schematically in cross section as a briefcase or carrying bag having a handle 56 and a more substantial body 55. As shown in FIG. 4, although partially deformed edges 8 and 10 do not allow door panels 4 and 5 to move to a fully closed position shown in FIG. 5. Given the degree of door partial closing, the door system disclosed and claimed in above-mentioned U.S. Pat. No. 5,280,754 would prevent movement of the train until the obstruction was removed. It should be noted that an obstruction of a type not deformed or entering the cavity 40 would prevent door closure and subsequent train motion.
Turning now to FIGS. 6 and 8 there is shown a deformable obstruction 60 having a thickness 61. An obstruction of this type can be a handbag, strap, clothing, or cloth wearing apparel such as scarfs, or portions of a passenger's coat. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the door panels 4 and 5 are in a closed position, thereby allowing the train or transit car to begin motion.
Under these conditions, the most hazardous situation occurs when the passenger whose clothing or other attached object is adjacent surfaces 11 and 13 and outside the car. Should this occur, car door panels equipped with the edges of this invention facilitate withdrawal of a trapped, deformable obstruction, through movement of projections 22, 36 and 38, as shown.
In operation, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, deformable material 60 is restrained in interstice 3 defined by edges 8 and 10 when panels 4 and 5 are in a closed position. However, as shown in FIG. 7, when force 65 is exerted in the indicated direction, the deformable material or obstruction 60 deflects edge projection 38, and tongue 22, as shown, thereby reducing frictional forces on the interface between material 61 and contact areas of projections 38, 36, and 22, aiding withdrawal of material or obstruction 60. Cavity 24, groove 42, and the geometry of projection 38 are critical to providing withdrawal of obstruction 60.
Applicant has discovered that the particular configuration disclosed also provides for prevention of train motion in the presence of a substantial obstruction while allowing a deformable obstruction to be withdrawn either by passenger action or relative movement between the train and a passenger outside the train.
Typically, applicant has found that a typical but not limiting edge design as shown incorporates the following parameters:
Edge Assembly 10
Durometer 80
Base height 20-5/8";
Tongue Projection 26-5/8";
Tongue Taper 30 & 32-7°;
Tongue 22; Outer Edge 28-9/64";
Cavity 24 Area Approximately 0.01 inches2'
Ratio of Cavity 24 Area to Area of Tongue 22-0.063.
Edge Assembly 8
Durometer 80.
Base Thickness 37-1".
Inner Projection 36 Height 50-11/16";
Inner Projection Mating Edge Radius 52-9/64";
Outer Projection 38 Length 39-11/16";
Outer Projection 38 Base Thickness 48-1/4";
Groove 42 Depth 46-7/64";
Groove 42 Thickness 44-5/16";
Groove 42 Distance 47 From Outer Edge 11-9/16";
Ratio of Groove Depth 46 to Projection 38, Length 39-b 0.17.
Thus it is apparent that there has been provided in accordance with the invention disclosed herein, resilient door edges for bi-parting power operated doors utilized on mass transit vehicles that fully satisfies the objects, aims and advantages set forth above. While it has been described in conjunction with a specific embodiment thereof, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the foregoing description. Accordingly, it is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations as fall within the spirit and broad scope of the appended claims.