Access opening closure device

#1. Technical Field

#The present disclosure relates to an access opening closure device for allowing articles to pass through an otherwise impervious wall. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to an access opening closure device for use in prisons and hospital psychiatric wards which allows an article to be passed through a cell or hospital room door without exposing a guard or hospital attendant to possible injury or battery by the prisoner or patient.

#2. Background of Related Art

#Various preferred embodiments of the access opening closure device are described herein with reference to the drawings, wherein:

#FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the presently disclosed access opening closure device;

#FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the access opening closure device shown in FIG. 1 with the top cover in its open position and its access door in its closed position;

#Preferred embodiments of the presently disclosed access opening closure device will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings, in which like reference numerals designate identical or corresponding elements in each of the several views.

#FIGS. 1 and 2, illustrate an access opening closure device, shown generally as 10. Briefly, closure device 10 includes a housing 12, an access door 14 and a top cover 16. Housing 12 has a bottom wall 18, a pair of side walls 20 and 22 and a front wall 24 which defines a receptacle 25 for receiving food, medication or the like. A plurality of drain holes 18′ (FIG. 2) are formed through the bottom wall 18 to allow fluid to drain therefrom. Side walls 20 and 22 have a height that increases from front end 26 to rear end 28 of housing 12. Alternately, the side walls can be rectangular. In extreme cases, when a prisoner or patient must be subdued before the guard enters the cell, the reduced height of front end 26 compared to rear end 28 of housing 12 enables the guard to spray a subduing agent, such as pepper spray or mace, directly into the cell. Preferably, housing 12 is constructed from stainless steel, although other materials having the requisite strength requirements can also be used.

#Referring also to FIG. 3, top cover 16 is pivotably attached to the top of front wall 24 via hinge assembly 29. Preferably, hinge assembly 29 is fastened to cover 16 and front wall 24 by screws 27. However, other fastening techniques may also be used including adhesives, welding, etc. Top cover 16 is pivotable from a first closed position enclosing housing 12 to a second open position uncovering housing 12. Preferably, cover 16 is constructed from a durable, transparent material such as Lexan® which permits viewing of the contents of receptacle 25 when top cover 16 is in the closed position. Alternately, other materials having the requisite strength requirements can also be used including stainless steel, aluminum or fire safe material having the requisite strength requirements.