Pneumatically operated chute door

Abstract

A chute system having a pneumatically actuated access door where the door is journally mounted to an access port in the wall and communicates with the chute to direct objects inserted into the access port to the chute. When an operator actuates a switch, the door may be opened by a pneumatic forcer connected between the access port frame and the door so as to form a lever arm about the door journal. The pneumatic forcer is mounted to the door with a slidable journal such that the door may be opened manually. The duration of the open state of the door is determined by a timing mechanism which removes the pneumatic pressure after a time has elapsed, enabling a spring to urge the door into the closed position.

1 - 38 . (canceled)  
   
   
       39 . An access door assembly comprising: 
 a surrounding frame capable of being fitted into an opening in a wall;    a door being journally mounted to the frame such that the door-can swing away from the wall;    a pneumatic forcer operably connected to the frame and the door to rotatably move the door from a closed position to an open position; and    means for supplying pneumatic pressure to the forcer.    
   
   
       40 . The access door assembly as in  claim 39 , wherein the pneumatic forcer is journally attached to the surrounding frame and is slidably journalled to the door.  
   
   
       41 . The access door assembly as in  claim 39 , wherein the pneumatic forcer has a pneumatic cylinder and an extensible rod, the extensible rod being slidably restrained and the slidable restraint being journalled to the door.  
   
   
       42 . The access door assembly as in  claim 39 , wherein the pneumatic forcer has a pneumatic cylinder and an extensible rod, the extensible rod being slidably restrained and the slidable restraint being journalled to a strut, the strut being mounted so as to form a lever arm with respect to the door journal.  
   
   
       43 . The access door assembly as in  claim 39 , wherein the pneumatic forcer has a pneumatic cylinder and an extensible rod, the extensible rod being slidably restrained and the slidable restraint being journalled a mounting surface, the mounting surface being orthogonal to the door, and arranged such that a rotational force is applied about the door journal when the pneumatic forcer is actuated.  
   
   
       44 . The access door assembly as in  claim 41 , wherein the extensible rod is fitted with a stop at the end distal from the pneumatic cylinder such that it abuts an end of a journalled slidable mount as the extensible rod is retracted into the cylinder when pneumatic pressure is supplied.  
   
   
       45 . The access door assembly as in  claim 41 , wherein the extensible rod is slides freely with respect to a journalled slidable mount when the door is manually rotated about the door journal.  
   
   
       46 . The access door assembly as in  claim 39 , wherein a spring is operably connected between the surrounding frame and the door, such that the spring generates a restoring rotational force about the door journal when the door is moved to the open position.  
   
   
       47 . The access door assembly as in  claim 46 , wherein the spring is a coil spring.  
   
   
       48 . The access door assembly as in  claim 46  wherein the spring is an air spring.  
   
   
       49 . The access door assembly as in  claim 46  wherein the spring is a pneumatic spring.  
   
   
       50 . The access door assembly as in  claim 48  wherein the air spring comprises a pneumatic cylinder and an extensible rod.  
   
   
       51 . The access door assembly as in  claim 39 , having a manually operated securing bolt, the bolt being mounted to the door such that it opposes a hole provided in the access port frame, wherein the bolt is chamfered at the exposed end and the chamfer faces towards surrounding frame when the door is in an open position.  
   
   
       52 . The access door assembly as in  claim 51 , wherein a pneumatic cylinder is mounted in the surrounding frame such that it communicates with the bolt, and when the pneumatic cylinder is actuated, the bolt is moved such that it no longer engages the hole in the access port frame.  
   
   
       53 . The access door assembly as in  claim 52 , wherein the pneumatic cylinder is actuated during a door opening operation using pneumatic means.  
   
   
       54 . The access door assembly in accordance with  claim 39 , wherein the door has a rotatable handle actuating a latch mechanism which must be released prior to opening the door.  
   
   
       55 . The access door assembly in accordance with  claim 54 , wherein a pneumatic actuator is positioned in the surrounding frame such that it opposes the latch mechanism, and the actuator extends sufficiently far when actuated so as to release the latch mechanism.  
   
   
       56 . The access door assembly in accordance with  claim 55  wherein the pneumatic actuator is actuated whenever the pneumatic forcer is supplied with pneumatic pressure.  
   
   
       57 . The access door assembly according to  claim 39 , having an interlock bolt in the door, to prevent the opening of more than one door at a time.  
   
   
       58 . The access door assembly according to  claim 57 , wherein the interlock bolt is disposed in the surrounding frame, opposing a hole in the periphery of the door.  
   
   
       59 . The chute system according to  claim 58  wherein-the interlock bolt is urged into the hole by a spring, and the interlock bolt is retracted when the door is actuated, and no other door is open, the interlock bolt having a beveled end engaging the hole, the beveled end orientated such that the bevel faces outward from the chute, the bolt being extended when the pneumatic pressure is no longer applied to the door, and the door acting on the bevel during the closing of the door such that the bolt is depressed sufficiently to permit the door to close, and the beveled bolt to reengage the hole.  
   
   
       60 . The access door assembly as in  claim 53 , wherein the pneumatic cylinder comprises a cylinder and an extensible rod fitted with an end portion distal to the cylinder adapted to push on the bolt, and said extensible rod being restored to a retracted position by a spring when pneumatic pressure is removed.  
   
   
       61 .- 67 . (canceled)  
   
   
       68 . An access door assembly comprising: 
 a frame having four sides creating an aperture and the frame is adapted to be fitted and secured into an opening in a wall;    a door mounted to a journal such that the door fills the aperture when the door is in a closed position; and    a pneumatic forcer operably connected to the frame and to the door to rotatably move the door from the closed position to an open position,    wherein the pneumatic forcer is adapted to communicate with a supply of pneumatic pressure.    
   
   
       69 . The access door assembly according to  claim 68 , wherein the journal is disposed to adjacent to a lower side of the frame, and a door swing direction is towards an operator of the door.  
   
   
       70 . The access door assembly as in  claim 68 , wherein a spring is operably connected between the frame and the door, such that the spring generates a restoring rotational force about the journal when the door is moved to the open position.  
   
   
       71 . An access door assembly, comprising: 
 means for mounting a door in a wall;    a door mounted to the means for mounting a door in a wall using a journal;    means for urging the door to an open position.    
   
   
       72 . The access door assembly according to  claim 71 , further comprising: 
 means for urging the door to a closed position.    
   
   
       73 . The access door assembly according to  claim 72 , wherein the means for urging the door to an open position communicates with a pneumatic supply through a pneumatic control assembly.  
   
   
       74 . The access door assembly according to  claim 71 , wherein a pneumatic control assembly is configured to prevent operation of the means for urging the door to a open position when another of a plurality of doors is not in the closed position.  
   
   
       75 . The access door assembly according to  claim 71 , further comprising: 
 means for preventing manual opening of the door.    
   
   
       76 . The access door assembly according to  claim 71 , wherein the journal is mounted proximal to a lower portion of the means for mounting.  
   
   
       77 . The access door assembly according to  claim 71 , wherein the door moves towards an operator when the door is urged to the open position.