Abstract: A universally mountable sensing edge comprises an elongated sheath defining a compressible cavity with a force sensor located therein. A center securing member extends upwardly from the top wall of the sheath, has a T-shaped base portion and a removable mounting strip extending from the base portion. At least one T-shaped edge securing member extends upwardly from the top wall of the sheath at least a distance generally equivalent to the distance that the upward extension of the T-shaped base portion of the center securing member extends from the top wall of the sheath. The at least one T-shaped edge securing member is disposed proximate to at least one of the front and rear sidewalls of the sheath. The universal sensing edge is attachable to a structure compatible with the mounting strip, the base portion of the center securing member, or the T-shaped edge securing member.

Abstract: A universally mountable sensing edge comprises an elongated sheath defining a compressible cavity with a force sensor located therein. A center securing member extends upwardly from the top wall of the sheath, has a T-shaped base portion and a removable mounting strip extending from the base portion. At least one T-shaped edge securing member extends upwardly from the top wall of the sheath at least a distance generally equivalent to the distance that the upward extension of the T-shaped base portion of the center securing member extends from the top wall of the sheath. The at least one T-shaped edge securing member is disposed proximate to at least one of the front and rear sidewalls of the sheath. The universal sensing edge is attachable to a structure compatible with the mounting strip, the base portion of the center securing member, or the T-shaped edge securing member.

Abstract: A bi-directional sensing edge includes a mounting member for securing the sensing edge to a leading member of a gate. An elongate outer sheath has at least first and second portions each respectively corresponding to first and second sides of the leading member. An interior surface of the sheath is spaced from an outer surface of the mounting member to thereby define a second area. A first switch is complementarily positioned within the second area and corresponds to the first portion of the sheath for actuation of the first switch upon application of pressure on an exterior surface of the sheath substantially anywhere along the first portion. A second switch is complementarily positioned within the second area and corresponds to the second portion of the sheath for actuation of the second switch upon application of pressure on the exterior surface of the sheath substantially anywhere along the second portion.

Abstract: A non-contact sensor system controls movement of a door moving in a first direction. The system includes a rigid mounting bracket attached to a leading edge of the door, a transmitter extending a distance beyond a leading edge of the door at a first door end for transmitting a signal toward a second door end. The transmitter is attached to the rigid mounting bracket by a first moveable member configured to engage a surface when the door closes and moving to a retracted position. The sensor system further includes a receiver extending a distance beyond the leading edge of the door at the second door end in alignment with the transmitter for detecting the signal and for generating an output signal. The receiver is attached to the rigid mounting bracket by a second moveable member configured to engage the surface when the door closes and moving to the retracted position.

Abstract: A non-contact sensor system controls movement of a door moving in a first direction. The system includes a rigid mounting bracket attached to a leading edge of the door, a transmitter extending a distance beyond a leading edge of the door at a first door end for transmitting a signal toward a second door end. The transmitter is attached to the rigid mounting bracket by a first moveable member configured to engage a surface when the door closes and moving to a retracted position. The sensor system further includes a receiver extending a distance beyond the leading edge of the door at the second door end in alignment with the transmitter for detecting the signal and for generating an output signal. The receiver is attached to the rigid mounting bracket by a second moveable member configured to engage the surface when the door closes and moving to the retracted position.

Abstract: A sensing edge for controlling movement of a door by actuation of a device upon an external force being applied to the sensing edge includes an elongated generally flexible tubular sheath secured to the leading edge of the door. The sheath has a longitudinal axis generally parallel to a leading edge of the door and includes an elongated hollow cavity extending generally parallel to the longitudinal axis, a first open end and a second open end. The sensor system includes a transmitter near the first end of the sheath for transmitting a signal through the cavity toward the second end of the sheath. The sensor system also includes a receiver near the second end of the sheath in alignment with the transmitter for detecting a signal at the second end and for generating an output signal upon detection of an absence of the signal when the passage of the signal through the cavity is blocked.

Abstract: A non-contact sensor system controls movement of a door moving in a first direction by actuation of a device. The system includes a transmitter extending a predetermined distance beyond a leading edge of the door at a first door end for transmitting a signal toward a second door end. The transmitter is attached to the door by a first moveable member which is capable of engaging a surface when the door closes and moving to a retracted position. The sensor system further includes a receiver extending a predetermined distance beyond the leading edge of the door at the second door end in alignment with the transmitter for detecting the signal, and for generating an output signal when the signal is blocked. The receiver is attached to the door by a second moveable member which is capable of engaging the surface when the door closes and moving to the retracted position.

Abstract: The present invention is a sensing edge for causing a closing door to open by actuating a device upon application of force to the sensing edge. The sensing edge, adjacent to a leading edge surface of the door and compressible upon application of external pressure, includes an elongate outer sheath with a first wall. The first wall and an inner wall, having a first aperture, define a first cavity. A top wall, having a plurality of top wall apertures, extends generally parallel to and is spaced from and secured to the inner wall, defining a second cavity. A sensor is positioned within the first cavity for detecting an external force applied to the sheath. At least one electrical conductor is in electrical communication with the sensor, extending through the first aperture, along the second cavity, and through any one of the top wall apertures for connection with the control device.

Abstract: A sensing edge for actuating a device to cause a closing door to stop closing upon a force being applied to the sensing edge. The door has a sensing edge surface, which includes an elongated sheath positioned adjacent to the leading edge surface of the door and is compressible upon application of an external force. Within the sheath is a cavity where a sensor is positioned which is responsive to an external force applied to the sheath. A closure is positioned proximate an end of the sheath. The closure has a channel in an outer surface which extends the width of the closure. The closure further includes a passageway therethrough extending from the cavity to the channel. At least one electrical conductor, which extends through the passageway and partially through the channel to one of the front and rear sides, is in electrical communication with the sensor.

Abstract: A sensing edge for controlling movement of a door by actuation of a device upon an external force being applied to the sensing edge includes an elongated generally flexible tubular sheath secured to the leading edge of the door. The sheath has a longitudinal axis generally parallel to a leading edge of the door and includes an elongated hollow cavity extending generally parallel to the longitudinal axis, a first open end and a second open end. The sensor system includes a transmitter near the first end of the sheath for transmitting a signal through the cavity toward the second end of the sheath. The sensor system also includes a receiver near the second end of the sheath in alignment with the transmitter for detecting a signal at the second end and for generating an output signal upon detection of an absence of the signal when the passage of the signal through the cavity is blocked.

Abstract: A non-contact sensor system controls movement of a door moving in a first direction by actuation of a device. The system includes a transmitter extending a predetermined distance beyond a leading edge of the door at a first door end for transmitting a signal toward a second door end. The transmitter is attached to the door by a first movable member which is capable of engaging a surface when the door closes and moving to a retracted position. The sensor system further includes a receiver extending a predetermined distance beyond the leading edge of the door at the second end in alignment with the transmitter for detecting the signal, and for generating an output signal when the signal is blocked. The receiver is attached to the door by a second movable member which is capable of engaging the surface when the door closes and moving to the retracted position.

Abstract: A method for making an airtight, flexible cell for enclosing electrical switching apparatus in the application of a door edge safety strips is disclosed. The illustrated technique describes a method which includes a series of steps which may be applied to raw sheet material used in producing the airtight cell which reduces the number of steps necessary to encase the switching apparatus within the airtight cell, simplifying the folding operations required to produce a seam to enclose the switching apparatus. The invention provides for use of two pieces of material to construct an end of the airtight cell, one piece being substantially rectangular and the second piece is comprised of five sides.

Abstract: A sensing edge for actuating a device to cause a closing door to stop closing upon a force being applied to the sensing edge is provided. The door has a leading edge surface, a first lateral surface, and a second lateral side surface with the first and second lateral side surfaces being oppositely disposed. The sensing edge comprises an elongate sheath positioned adjacent to the leading edge surface of the door and compressible upon application of an external force. The sheath forms a cavity. The sheath has a front side and a back side and first and second oppositely disposed end openings. The front side and back side of the sheath have respective front side and back side apertures extending therethrough. A sensor responsive to an external force applied to the sheath substantially between the first and second openings is positioned within the cavity. A plug is also positioned within the cavity proximate to the first end opening of the sheath.

Abstract: An adjustable height sensing edge for a door to protect persons, equipment and the door from impact damage from closing movement of the door by actuating a stopping device upon detecting an object in contact with the sensing edge, the device stopping the closing movement of the door. The adjustable-height sensing edge comprises a base member having opposing first and second surfaces. The first surface of the base member is adapted for attachment to the door. A first sensorless compressible spacer member having opposing first and second sides is provided. The first side of the sensorless spacer member is attached to the base member. A force sensor is provided for sensing the object in contact with the sensing edge and activating the stopping device. The force sensor has opposing first and second sides, with the first side of the force sensor being connected to the second surface of the base member.

Abstract: A sensing edge is provided for causing a door to open by actuating a device upon force being applied to the sensing edge. The sensing edge includes an elongate outer sheath with a first strip of resiliently compressible material affixed to one of the inner surfaces. A first strip of flexible, electrically conductive material is affixed to the strip of resiliently compressible material. A second strip of flexible, electrically conductive material is supported on the opposite inner surface of the outer sheath. The second strip of conductive material faces the first strip of conductive material, with a space being provided between the first and second strips.

Abstract: Each sensing safety edge system includes an elongated, one-piece, flexibly resilient, extrusion of air-impervious material. The extrusion includes an elongated hollow member with tubular wall, a pair of laterally spaced apart support legs extending radially outwardly from an outer side of the tubular wall, an elongated mounting strip extending outwardly from the tubular wall between the pair of support legs and a weather strip extending outwardly from an opposing side of the tubular member. Conical plug closures are provided in each of two opposing ends of the tubular member, preferably so as to seal the ends to air passage. The resulting safety edge is mounted on a leading edge of an overhead steel door or like movable structure.

Abstract: A sensing edge for controlling movement of a door by actuation of a device upon an external force being applied to the sensing edge. The sensing edge includes an elongated, generally flexible tubular sheath which is secured to the door. The sheath includes an elongated, entirely hollow cavity with an optically reflective interior surface. A light transmitter is positioned proximate a first end of the sheath for transmitting a light beam toward a second end of the sheath. A light detector is positioned proximate the second end of the sheath for detecting the presence or absence of the light beam at the second sheath end. The light detector generates a signal for actuating the device upon detecting the absence of the light beam at the second end of the sheath.

Abstract: A sensing edge for causing a closing door to open by actuating a device upon force being applied to the sensing edge. The sensing edge includes an elongate outer sheath compressible upon application of external pressure. A sensor is positioned within the elongate outer sheath for sensing the application of force to the sheath. Upon force being applied to the sheath, the sensor actuates a device for controlling the door. The sheath includes an aperture extending through one of the end surfaces. Electrical conductors that are in electrical communication with the sensor extend through the aperture, outwardly from the one end surface beyond the side surface of the door and into the internal area of a track to which the door is mounted. The sensor includes a flexible hood which extends outwardly from one end surface of the sheath and into the track area. The hood has second and third apertures extending therethrough.

Abstract: The present invention includes a sensing edge for controlling movement of a door by actuation of a device upon force being applied to the sensing edge. The sensing edge includes a base member for being secured to the leading edge of a door and a sheath having a plurality of internal cavities extending therethrough for receiving a switch comprising two electrical contacts. The sensing edge assists in providing a failsafe feature for detecting electrical problems (such as open circuits) in the electrical contacts. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the failsafe feature is achieved using an electrical connector, positioned within the sheath, which electrically connects the electrical contacts. A method of making the sensing edge includes coextrusion of the base member and sheath. During the coextrusion process, electrical contacts are positioned within and bonded to the sheath.