Access device for pets

Abstract

In order to provide for a simple identification of admitted pets in an access device (2) for pets, particularly for dogs and cats, wherein the releasing and locking of the door (4) can be controlled by means of an electronic device (8), it is proposed to configure the electronic device (8) in such manner that any radio frequency controlled identification devices (RFID) located in proximity to a reader device can be included into the accession list by an input to a simple switching device (12).

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further details, advantages and features of the object of the present invention follow from the following description of the associated drawings which serve to explain—in the form of working examples—the doors according to the present invention. The drawings show:

FIG. 1 a representation of an access device from the front side according to a working example of the present invention;

FIG. 2 the installation of the access device according to FIG. 1 in a wall with a thickness of 5 mm;

FIG. 3 the installation of the access device according to FIG. 1 in a wall with a thickness of 40 mm; and

FIG. 4 the installation of the access device according to FIG. 1 in a wall with a thickness of 300 mm.

MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

The access device for pets denoted by 2 as a whole in FIG. 1 in this working example has a constitution which is particularly useful for cats, but also for dogs and other pets such as e.g. rabbits, turtles, guinea pigs etc., and it can be installed into a wall but also in a normal door, a window, etc.

The access device has a door constituted by a flap 4 hanging at a horizontally disposed hinge, which flap is fixed to a frame 6 through the hinge. The flap is arranged in such manner as to be flippable upwards to both sides, thereby providing access. An electronic board 8 arranged in the frame 6 primarily controls the locking system 10. However, the latter can also be controlled manually by keeping the flap constantly locked or constantly open. It is possible to have the constantly open or locked state for one direction. In the present working example, the locking mechanism 10 exhibits a turn knob that in its various positions allows or requires an electrical release. On the access device this is subsequently displayed on display 14, which in the working example consists of two LEDs.

In the working example, the electronic board is supplied with electric power from a rechargeable battery, the rechargeable battery 22 being charged by means of an external power supply 18. The power supply is connected with the access device by means of plug 20.

It is important for the invention that the electronic board 8 comprises a reader device for transponders that reads out the code from a transponder chip located in the vicinity of the reader unit and compares the code with a list stored in electronic board 8. Alternatively, the reader unit can also be arranged separate from the electronic board, e.g. if required by spatial constraints. The reader unit is connected with an antenna device 24 that communicates with the transponder. Advantageously, the transponder will be implanted in a pet, but it is also possible to carry the transponder e.g. on a collar or attach the same to an ear.

Initially, the list stored on the electronic board 8 is empty, i.e. no access admission has been granted to any pets as initial setting. In order to grant admission to a pet having a corresponding, so far unknown transponder, the pet can be placed in the influence range of the antenna. By actuating the simple switch 12 designed as a push-button, the transponder code of the transponder arranged at or within the pet is read in and added to the list of admitted pets. The entry is confirmed with a signal of display 14 (blinking). In a next approach of this pet, upon comparison with the stored list this particular pet will be recognized and admitted according to the preset permissions (unidirectional or bidirectional admission). Hence, the locking mechanism 10 will be opened insofar as its turn-knob is set to allow for an electrical opening.

However, according to the present working example, in case of a power failure the locking mechanism can be overwritten by a release at least in the outbound direction, optionally also in the inbound direction, so that the pet is not permanently trapped in case of power failure.

In the present working example, the access device 2 further comprises an approach sensor 16. This is because for reasons of saving electrical power the reader device shall remain inactive until the approach sensor 16 detects an object in its proximity. Only then will the electronic circuitry be switched on and the process of reading and comparing the read in transponder code with the list be carried out and a decision be reached concerning the admission of the pet carrying the transponder. Alternatively, instead of the approach sensor 16, a touch sensor can be built into the flap of the access device then requiring that the animal tries to pass through the door, and only thereafter triggering the reading process by this touch sensor. However, the function is the same.

As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the access device can be installed in walls of very different thickness from less than 5 mm up to more than 30 mm, because antenna 24 is always arranged at the outside and the flap itself does not shield the radio waves of the reader device.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

• 2 access device
• 4 door
• 6 frame
• 8 electronic board
• 10 locking system
• 12 push-button for admission
• 14 indicators for the locked state
• 16 touch sensor
• 18 power supply
• 20 plug
• 22 rechargeable battery
• 24 antenna
• 26 wall

Claims

1. An access device for pets, particularly for dogs and cats, through which the pets can transit or reach appropriate installations or spatially delimited zones, comprising a frame and a door pivotally arranged in the frame, further comprising a device, by means of which the door is lockable to the frame, an electronic device with a data storage unit for controlling the releasing and locking of the door to the frame, a power supply device for said electronic device, with a reader device for radio frequency controlled identification devices (RFID) that is connected to or is a part of said electronic device and that comprises an antenna device for communication with one or a plurality of radio frequency controlled identification devices (RFID), a switching device for controlling said electronic device, wherein said electronic device is configured in such manner that the door at frame is released from a locked state when a radio frequency controlled identification device (RFID) is located in proximity of the reader device, wherein a release is effected only by such radio frequency controlled identification devices that exhibit an identification code that matches a corresponding identification code contained in a list stored in the data storage unit, and wherein the electronic device is configured in such manner that any radio frequency controlled identification devices (RFID) located in proximity to said reader device may be included in the list by an input to said switching device.

2. Access device according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises a contact or approach sensor and that it is configured to be in an idle or power saving partly active mode until the contact or approach sensor provides a signal.

3. Access device according to claim 1, characterized in that said power supply device is based on an operation with a non-rechargeable battery or with a rechargeable battery.

4. Access device according to claim 1, characterized in that a release of the door from the frame by radio frequency controlled identification devices, commanded by a manual actuation device, is only effected in one direction whereas in the other direction the door is set to be locked to or released from the frame.

5. Access device according to claim 1, characterized in that the door is lockable to the frame by means of a manual actuation device independently of said electronic device.

6. Access device according to claim 1, characterized in that the door is releasable from the frame by means of a manual actuation device independently of said electronic device.

7. Access device according to claim 1, characterized by an acoustic signaling device that signals the admitted passage by a signaling tone.

8. Access device according to claim 1, characterized by an optical signaling device that signals the admitted passage by an optical signal, preferably a light signal.

9. Access device according to claim 1, characterized in that the locking device in case of a power failure can be overwritten to a release mode optionally in one direction or in both directions.

10. Access device according to claim 2, characterized in that said power supply device is based on an operation with a non-rechargeable battery or with a rechargeable battery.

11. Access device according to claim 10, characterized in that a release of the door from the frame by radio frequency controlled identification devices, commanded by a manual actuation device, is only effected in one direction whereas in the other direction the door is set to be locked to or released from the frame.

12. Access device according to claim 11, characterized in that the door is lockable to the frame by means of a manual actuation device independently of said electronic device.

13. Access device according to claim 12, characterized in that the door is releasable from the frame by means of a manual actuation device independently of said electronic device.

14. Access device according to claim 13, characterized by an acoustic signaling device that signals the admitted passage by a signaling tone.

15. Access device according to claim 14, characterized by an optical signaling device that signals the admitted passage by an optical signal, preferably a light signal.

16. Access device according to claim 15, characterized in that the locking device in case of a power failure can be overwritten to a release mode optionally in one direction or in both directions.

17. Access device according to claim 2, characterized in that the door is lockable to the frame by means of a manual actuation device independently of said electronic device.

18. Access device according to claim 2, characterized in that the door is releasable from the frame by means of a manual actuation device independently of said electronic device.

19. Access device according to claim 2, characterized by an acoustic signaling device that signals the admitted passage by a signaling tone.

20. Access device according to claim 2, characterized by an optical signaling device that signals the admitted passage by an optical signal, preferably a light signal.