Foot operated lavatory door actuation and de-actuation
AssigneeB/E Aerospace, Inc.
InventorsSanith Kurumpilavu Subramanian, Dharamveer Surya Prakash Bathla
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A door system comprises a door, the door including a latch assembly configured to latch the door to a door frame to maintain the door in a closed position and to unlatch to allow the door to open to an opened position. A foot pedal is operatively connected to unlatch the latch assembly upon actuation by a user's foot. In certain embodiments, a handle can be operatively connected to unlatch the latch assembly upon actuation a user. The door system further includes the door frame and set of hinges operatively connecting the door to the door frame.
Claims20
A door system comprising:
- a door including a latch assembly configured to latch the door to a door frame to maintain the door in a closed position and to unlatch to allow the door to open to an opened position;
- a foot pedal operatively connected to unlatch the latch assembly upon actuation by a user's foot, wherein the latch assembly includes a pair of latch members at opposed ends of the door, wherein each latch member is operatively connected to a rack, the rack including an upper rack and a lower rack, wherein each rack is configured to move parallel to a hinge line, and wherein each rack is meshed with a pinion gear for synchronized actuation of each latch member;
- and
- at least one removable access panel on the door positioned for at least one of:
- servicing the latch assembly or a rack and gear assembly, or for an emergency opening of the door.
A door system comprising:
- a door frame;
- a door including a latch assembly configured to latch the door to the door frame to maintain the door in a closed position and to unlatch to allow the door to open to an opened position;
- a set of hinges operatively connecting the door to the door frame;
- at least one helical spring disposed on the set of hinges;
- a gas spring operatively connected between the door and the door frame;
- and
- a foot pedal operatively connected to unlatch the latch assembly upon actuation by a user's foot, wherein the latch assembly includes a pair of latch members at opposed ends of the door, wherein each latch member is operatively connected to a rack, the rack including an upper rack and a lower rack, wherein each rack is configured to move parallel to a hinge line, wherein each rack is meshed with a pinion gear for synchronized actuation of each latch member, and wherein the at least one helical spring and the gas spring are configured to exert a resultant spring force on the door to open the door in the unlatched position.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.