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US 2021/0225142 A1Published application
Door alarm
AssigneeSafehinge Limited
InventorsMartin IZOD, Gus THOMAS
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method of detecting a ligature on a door is provided whereby the load applied by the door to a load sensing means and the movement of the door relative to the door frame are used to determine whether a ligature is being applied to the door to thereby trigger an alarm. Apparatus for carrying out the method is also provided.
Claims22
A method of detecting a ligature on a door, the method comprising the steps:
- (i) providing a door mounted within a door frame on mounting means, movement sensing means configured to determine whether the door is moving relative to the door frame, load sensing means configured to determine the load applied by the door to the mounting means, and processing means;
- (ii) determining whether the door is substantially stationary using the movement sensing means;
- (iii) when the door is determined to be substantially stationary, determining the load applied by the door a plurality of times to provide a plurality of load readings;
- (iv) averaging the plurality of load readings to produce an average load reading;
- (v) calculating a threshold value from the average load reading;
- (vi) determining the load applied by the door;
- and
- (vii) determining whether the load applied by the door in step (vi) is greater than the threshold value,
- wherein a load that is greater than the threshold value is indicative of a ligature on the door.
6 more elements
An apparatus for determining the load applied by a door, the apparatus comprising:
- mounting means configured to mount the apparatus onto a hinge or pivot;
- a movement sensor configured to detect movement of the apparatus or a door;
- at least one load sensor configured to determine the load applied to the apparatus by the door;
- and attachment means configured to attach the apparatus onto the door or into the floor or into a door frame or into a door closer in the head of the door frame.
1 more element
(canceled)
A door assembly comprising, in combination:
- a door mounted within a door frame on pivoting means such that the door may pivot on the pivoting means;
- and
- an apparatus for determining the load applied by the door, the apparatus comprising mounting means configured to mount the apparatus onto a hinge or pivot, a movement sensor configured to detect movement of the apparatus or the door, at least one load sensor configured to determine the load applied to the apparatus by the door, and attachment means configured to attach the apparatus onto the door or into the floor or into a door frame or into a door closer in the head of the door frame.
A method of detecting a ligature on a door, the method comprising the steps:
- (i) providing a door mounted within a door frame on mounting means;
- (ii) providing an apparatus for determining the load applied by the door, the apparatus comprising mounting means configured to mount the apparatus onto a hinge or pivot, a movement sensor configured to detect movement of the apparatus or the door, at least one load sensor configured to determine the load applied to the apparatus by the door, and attachment means configured to attach the apparatus onto the door or into the floor or into a door frame or into a door closer in the head of the door frame;
- (iii) determining whether the door is substantially stationary using the movement sensor;
- (iv) when the door is determined to be substantially stationary, determining a plurality of times via the at least one load sensor the load applied by the door so as to provide a plurality of load readings;
- (v) averaging the plurality of load readings to produce an average load reading;
- (vi) calculating a threshold value from the average load reading;
- (vii) determining the load applied by the door;
- and
- (viii) determining whether the load applied by the door in step (vii) is greater than the threshold value, wherein a load that is greater than the threshold value is indicative of a ligature on the door.
6 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.