Universal sensing edge

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 having a leading edge surface, a first lateral side surface and a second lateral side surface, the first and second lateral side surfaces being oppositely disposed, the sensing edge comprising:

• an elongate sheath positioned adjacent to the leading edge surface of the door and being compressible upon application of an external force, the sheath forming a cavity, the sheath having a front side and a back side and first and second oppositely disposed end openings;
• a sensor positioned within the cavity, the sensor being responsive to an external force applied to the sheath substantially between the first and second openings;
• at least one electrical conductor in electrical communication with the sensor for connection with a circuit for controlling actuation of the door when the sensor detects application of force to the sheath;
• and
• a plug positioned within the cavity proximate to the first end opening of the sheath, the plug having a first surface facing the cavity, second and third surfaces facing respectively the front and back sides of the sheath and a fourth surface facing the first opening, the conductor being at least integrally molded within and exiting from the plug at the first surface and at least one of the second, third and fourth surfaces of the plug.

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 having a leading edge surface, a first lateral side surface and a second lateral side surface, the first and second lateral side surfaces being oppositely disposed, the sensing edge comprising:

• an elongate sheath positioned adjacent to the leading edge surface of the door, and being compressible upon application of an external force, the sheath forming a cavity, the sheath having a front side and a back side and first and second oppositely disposed end openings, the front side and back side having respective front side and back side apertures extending therethrough;
• a sensor positioned within the cavity, the sensor being responsive to an external force applied to the sheath substantially between the first and second openings;
• a plug positioned within the cavity proximate to one of the first end and second end openings of the sheath, the plug having a first surface facing the cavity, second and third surfaces facing respectively the front and back sides of the sheath and a fourth surface facing the first end opening, the plug having a channel structure comprising first, second, third and fourth channels extending respectively from the first, second, third and fourth surfaces into the interior of the plug, the fourth channel being in communication with the first, second and third channels;
• and
• at least one electrical conductor in electrical communication with the sensor for connection with a circuit for controlling actuation of the door when the sensor detects application of force to the sheath, the conductor extending through the first and the fourth channels whereby the conductor may be thereafter routed through one of the second and third channels thereby allowing the plug to be positioned proximate either of the first and second side surfaces of the door such that the sensing edge is bilateral.