POWERED SAFETY CURTAINS

Abstract

Powered safety curtains are disclosed. An example barrier for an opening includes a motorized drive unit, and a curtain. The example barrier also includes a track disposed along the lateral edge of the curtain, a guide plate carried by the curtain and extending into the track and a nonferrous guide member attached to the guide plate. The example barrier also includes a first safety device comprising a first wireless portion attached to the nonferrous guide member and a first electrical portion mounted relative to the track. The first electrical portion is in the first activated state when the first wireless portion is in proximity with the first electrical portion as a result of the leading edge of the curtain being at the closed position. The first wireless portion is in the first deactivated state when the first wireless portion is remote relative to the first electrical portion.

Description

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

This patent generally pertains to barriers and, more specifically, to powered curtains.

BACKGROUND

To help avoid injury, safety barriers are often used for controlling access to moving or otherwise dangerous machinery. Examples of such machinery may include machining centers, saws, shears and press brakes. Some safety barriers have a movable access door with various sensors for determining whether the door is open or closed. In some cases, to prevent unsafe access to the machinery, an automatic latch prevents the door from opening accidentally.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front view of an example barrier with its curtain in an open position.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the barrier of FIG. 1 but showing the curtain at an intermediate position between its open and closed positions and showing a portion of the track cutaway.

FIG. 3 is a front view of the barrier of FIG. 1 but showing the curtain at its closed position and a portion of the track cutaway.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken generally along line 4-4 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken generally along line 5-5 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 6 is a schematic view showing an operational configuration of example second and third safety devices.

FIG. 7 is a schematic view similar to FIG. 6 but showing another operational configuration of the example second and third safety devices.

FIG. 8 is a schematic view similar to FIG. 6 but showing another operational configuration of the example second and third safety devices.

FIG. 9 is a schematic view similar to FIG. 6 but showing yet another operational configuration of the example second and third safety devices.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional cutaway view similar to FIG. 4 but showing an example cleaning device.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional cutaway view similar to FIG. 5 but showing the example cleaning device of FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional cutaway view similar to FIG. 4 but showing another example safety device.

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional cutaway view similar to FIG. 5 but showing the example safety device of FIG. 12.

FIG. 14 is a diagram representative of machine readable instructions which may be executed to implement the apparatus of FIGS. 1-13.

FIG. 15 is a block diagram of an example processor system that can execute the instructions of FIG. 14 to implement the apparatus of FIGS. 1-13.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Example barriers disclosed herein for machine guarding and other applications include a vertically moving rollup curtain with multipurpose guide plates attached to lower corners of the curtain. In some examples, the guide plates add appreciable weight to the curtain. Although additional mass increases a body's inertia, the guide plate's additional weight actually increases the closing speed of some curtains. In some examples, the guide plates also enable or enhance the operation of three safety devices. In some examples, parts of one or more of the safety devices are carried by the guide plates. In some examples, the significant mass of the guide plates provide the lower leading edge of a closing curtain with additional downward momentum. Increasing the curtain's downward momentum provides additional force that, in some examples, helps in forcibly engaging a latch that holds the curtain in its closed position. In some examples, the guide plates provide a soft leading edge curtain with a hard stop edge.

FIGS. 1-5 show an example barrier 10 with an example curtain 12 movable across a chosen opening 14. FIG. 1 shows a leading edge 16 of curtain 12 in an open position to uncover opening 14, FIGS. 2 and 4 show leading edge 16 between its open and closed positions, and FIGS. 3 and 5 show leading edge 16 in its closed position where curtain 12 obstructs opening 14.

Although barrier 10 can be used in a wide variety of applications, barrier 10 includes some safety features that can make barrier 10 very useful as a protective device for providing selective access to a potentially dangerous machine 18. Barrier 10 is particularly useful for guarding machinery having momentum that can maintain a level of danger for a period of time even after the machinery is turned off. Examples of machinery 18 include, but are not limited to, a machining center, a saw, a shear, a press brake, etc.

To open or close barrier 10 by respectively raising or lowering curtain 12, the illustrated example barrier 10 includes a motorized drive unit 20 comprising a motor 22 that rotates a drum 24 about which curtain 12 is wrapped. Depending on the direction of rotation, determined by a controller 26, drum 24 selectively draws curtain 12 up to uncover opening 14 or pays curtain 12 out to lower the curtain across opening 14. When lowering curtain 12, drum 24 controllably releases curtain 12 while the curtain's 12 weight helps pull curtain 12 downward. To help guide the curtain's 12 vertical movement, in this example, curtain 12 includes lateral edges 28 each extending into a slot 30 (FIGS. 4 and 5) in a generally vertical track 32. When barrier 10 is closed, track 32 engaging the curtain's 12 lateral edges 28 helps support curtain 12 along the curtain's 12 vertical length.

The term “curtain” means a sheet of material that when positioned along a generally vertical plane, the sheet of material offers substantially inconsequential vertical support in that the sheet of material when unsupported along its vertical length tends to buckle or collapse under its own weight. Examples of a curtain include, but are not limited to, one or more layers of fabric, one or more layers of pliable polymeric sheeting, a flexible screen, etc. The term “motorized drive unit,” as it pertains to a curtain, means any powered apparatus able to raise or lower a curtain. Examples of a motorized drive unit include, but are not limited to, a motor driven drum (e.g., a drum rotated by an electric motor, a hydraulic motor or a pneumatic motor), a winch, a hoist, and a linear actuator (e.g., linear motor, motor driven lead screw, hydraulic cylinder, pneumatic cylinder, etc.). The term “controller” means any electrical system to provide control signals. Examples of a controller include, but are not limited to, a computer, a programmable logic controller (PLC), electrical circuit, electromechanical relays, and various combinations thereof

In the illustrated example, barrier 10 includes two multipurpose guide plates 34 at the lower corners of curtain 12. In some examples, each guide plate 34 comprises two plates 34 sandwiching curtain 12 therebetween. Guide plates 34, in some examples, provide numerous functions in enabling or enhancing the lowering of curtain 12 and/or enabling or enhancing the operation of three safety devices and/or sensors 36, 38 and 40 (FIGS. 1 and 4). In some examples, first safety device 36 is a touchless proximity sensor that detects when barrier 10 is closed, second safety device 38 is an electomechanical switch with electrical contacts that are physically forced closed (or forced open) in response to barrier 10 being closed, and third safety device 40 is a solenoid-releasable mechanical latch. In some examples, barrier 10 has six safety devices with one set of safety devices 36, 38 and 40 installed near leading edge 16 and one lateral edge 28 of curtain 12, and another set of safety devices 36, 38 and 40 installed near leading edge 16 at the other lateral edge 28 of curtain 12. While details and examples of safety devices 36, 38 and 40 will be described later, the multiple functions of some examples of guide plates 34 will first be described as follows:

First, guide plates 34, in some examples, adds appreciable weight to the lower end of curtain 12 to help keep curtain 12 vertically taut and to help pull curtain 12 down as drive unit 20 controllably releases curtain 12. To ensure that guide plates 34 exert downward pull on curtain 12, guide plates 34 are made of a material that is denser than the material of curtain 12. Thus, the guide plates 34 are of a weight that urges the curtain 12 to be moved downward during the closing process. In some examples, guide plates 34 are made of steel while curtain 12 comprises polymeric sheeting.

Second, in some examples, one or more guide members 42 and/or 44 (FIGS. 2 and 4) are attached to guide plates 34 to limit the curtain's slack in a horizontal direction and/or to enable the curtain 12 to be substantially taut in the horizontal direction. Guide plates 34 place guide members 42 and 44 inside track 32, and since guide members 42 and 44 cannot fit through the track's relatively narrow slot 30, the lower ends of the curtain's lateral edges 28 are prevented from pulling out from within track 32.

Third, in some examples, guide members 42 and 44 being attached to guide plate 34 provide an excellent firm place to mount a first wireless portion 36a of first safety device 36. When barrier 10 is closed, to ensure accurate alignment between first wireless portion 36a and a first electrical portion 36b of first safety device 36, in some examples, guide member 42 (and/or member 44) has a beveled surface 46 shaped to matingly engage a tapered lead-in surface 48 (first tapered lead-in surface) that is stationary with track 32. Beveled surface 46 engaging tapered lead-in surface 48 ensures proper alignment with respect to both relative vertical positioning and horizontal spacing between portions 36a and 36b of safety device 36 (e.g., the portions 36a, 36b being adjacent one another). Guide plate 34, in some examples, provides curtain 12 with a lower hard stop edge 33. When the curtain's leading edge 16 is relatively flexible, the more rigid hard stop edge 33 provides curtain 12 with a more accurate stopping point as edge 33 engages an end stop 35 on track 32.

Fourth, in some examples, guide plate 34 provides means for adding to curtain 12 a second wireless portion 38a of second safety device 38. Second wireless portion 38a, in some examples, is a mechanical actuator in the form of a metal tab or tongue 50 extending from guide plate 34 and being insertable in a slot 52 in a housing 54 that contains a second electrical portion 38b of second safety device 38.

Fifth, in some examples, guide plate 34 provides curtain 12 with sufficient downward momentum 56 (FIG. 7) to force a third wireless portion 40a into latching engagement with a third electrical portion 40b of third safety device 40. In some examples, second and third wireless portions 38a and 40a share common structure in the form of a multipurpose actuator. In the illustrated example, wireless portions 38a and 40a share a common actuator (e.g., tongue 50). Also, in some examples, second and third electrical portions 38b and 40b are both contained within the same shared housing 54. In the illustrated example, electrical portions 38b and 40b share a common housing. The terms, “common actuator” and “common housing” mean two or more parts share the same structure.

Although the structure and use of safety devices 36, 38 and 40 may be implemented and/or performed in numerous different manners, in some examples, first safety device 36 provides a touchless means for sensing whether barrier 10 is closed. As mentioned earlier, first safety device 36 comprises first electrical portion 36b and first wireless portion 36a. The term, “wireless” as it refers to first, second and third wireless portions 36a, 38a and 40a, means the item (e.g., wireless portion 36a) is functional without wires conducting electrical power or electrical signals to or from the item. The term, “wireless” does not necessarily mean that the referenced item (e.g., wireless portion 36a) is completely void of an internal electrical circuit. In some cases, for example, first wireless portion 36a comprises an RFID device having an internal circuit that is externally stimulated by electromagnet radiation from some examples of first electrical portion 36b.

Examples of first wireless portion 36a include, but are not limited to, a magnet, a ferrous block, a reflector (e.g., a barcode, white mark, reflective paint, mirror), and an RFID device, etc. More specific examples of first wireless portion 36a include, but are not limited to, a model Eva p/n 20-046-xx provided by Jokab Safety of Westland, Mich.; and the non-wired or wireless portion of an Allen-Bradley Sensaguard switch provided by Rockwell Automation of Milwaukee, Wis. Examples of first electrical portion 36b include, but are not limited to, a model Adam p/n 2051-xx provided by Jokab Safety of Westland, Mich.; and the wired portion of an Allen-Bradley Sensaguard switch provided by Rockwell Automation of Milwaukee, Wis.

For mounting first safety device 36, some examples of guide member 42 are made of a nonferrous material (e.g., plastic, aluminum, brass) and includes a pocket or recess 58 in which first wireless portion 36a is installed. Recess 58 helps protect first wireless portion 36a from damage by preventing it from rubbing against the inner surface of track 32, and the nonferrous material quality of guide member 42 minimizes possible communication interference between first electrical portion 36b and first wireless portion 36a. In some examples, a bracket assembly 60 for mounting first electrical portion 36b includes various slots 62 that provide means for adjusting the position of first electrical portion 36b.

In some examples, second safety device 38 comprises second electrical portion 38b and second wireless portion 38a for providing actual physical contact means for determining whether barrier 10 is closed. In some examples, second wireless portion 38a is a mechanical member with a physical feature (e.g., the thickness, width and/or edge of tongue 50) that, when barrier 10 is closed, physically closes (or in some examples opens) electrical contacts 64 in the second electrical portion 38b of second safety device 38. Examples of second electrical portion 38b include, but are not limited to, an internal electromechanical switch (e.g., a switch 66) and its wired or electrical contacts (e.g., contacts 64) of an Allen-Bradley model 440G-MT guard locking switch provided by Rockwell Automation of Milwaukee, Wis.; and an internal electromechanical switch and its wired or electrical contacts (e.g., contacts 64) of an Euchner model STA3A-4141A024RC18 safety switch provided by Euchner-USA, Inc. of East Syracuse, N.Y.

Examples of second wireless portion 38a include, but are not limited to, the switch-displacing feature of a mechanical actuator (e.g., mechanical actuator p/n 440K-A11112 or 440K-A17116) of an Allen-Bradley model 440G-MT guard locking solenoid switch provided by Rockwell Automation of Milwaukee, Wis.; and the switch-displacing feature of the mechanical actuator of an Euchner model STA3A-4141A024RC18 safety switch provided by Euchner-USA, Inc. of East Syracuse, N.Y. In addition or alternatively, further examples of second wireless portion 38a include, but are not limited to, a tongue sandwiched between two guide plates 34 and protruding downward therefrom, a protrusion integrally extending from guide plate 34 (wherein, “integrally extending from guide plate 34” means that the protrusion and the guide plate comprise a unitary piece without a seam joining the protrusion to the guide plate), and a tongue or protrusion fastened or welded to guide plate 34.

In some examples, third safety device 40 comprises third electrical portion 40b and third wireless portion 40a for ensuring that curtain 12 is physically held locked in its closed position under certain predetermined conditions. In some examples, third wireless portion 40a includes a latching feature (e.g., an opening 70 in tongue 50) that, when barrier 10 is closed, enables third wireless portion 40a to hook or otherwise latch onto a plunger 72 extending from a normally extended spring loaded solenoid 74. In some examples, tongue 50 includes physical features for both second and third wireless portions 38a and 40a. Examples of third wireless portion 40a includes, but are not limited to, the latching feature of a mechanical actuator portion (e.g., p/n 440K-A11112 or 440K-A17116) of an Allen-Bradley model 440G-MT guard locking solenoid switch provided by Rockwell Automation of Milwaukee, Wis.; and the latching feature of the mechanical actuator portion of an Euchner model STA3A-4141A024RC18 safety switch provided by Euchner-USA, Inc. of East Syracuse, N.Y.

In some examples, third electrical portion 40b comprises solenoid 74, the solenoid's electrical terminals 76, plunger 72, and a spring 78 that urges plunger 72 from its retracted position (FIG. 9) to its normally extended position (FIGS. 6 and 8). Energizing solenoid 74 via terminals 76 drives solenoid 74 to retract plunger 72 from its normally extended position to its retracted position. De-energizing solenoid 74 allows spring 78 to extend plunger 72 if plunger 72 is not otherwise restricted to do so. Examples of third electrical portion 40b include, but are not limited to, the internal electrical solenoid of an Allen-Bradley model 440G-MT guard locking switch provided by Rockwell Automation of Milwaukee, Wis.; and the internal electrical solenoid of an Euchner model STA3A-4141A024RC18 safety switch provided by Euchner-USA, Inc. of East Syracuse, N.Y. In some examples, as mentioned earlier, second and third electrical portions 38b and 40b are contained within the commonly shared housing 54.

An example method of operating barrier 10 is as follows. Referring to FIGS. 2 and 6, an output signal 80 of controller 26 commands drive unit 20 to lower curtain 12 at a predetermined velocity to close barrier 10. In some examples, the predetermined velocity varies over the length of travel of curtain 12, e.g., curtain 12 accelerates and decelerates. Arrow 82 of FIG. 2 represents lowering curtain 12 at the predetermined velocity. In addition to drive unit 20 controllably releasing curtain 12, the curtain's weight, including the weight of guide plates 34, provides an appreciable downward force 84 for moving the curtain's leading edge 16 downward. FIG. 2 illustrates developing an appreciable magnitude of downward momentum 86 by virtue of curtain 12 traveling downward at the predetermined velocity. In some examples, particularly those where curtain 12 comprises a polymeric sheet of material and guide plate 34 comprises a metal material, guide plate 34 traveling with curtain 12 provides an appreciable percentage of the curtain's 12 downward momentum.

As leading edge 16 approaches its closed position of FIGS. 3, 5 and 8; beveled edge 46 engages lead-in surface 48 to physically guide and properly align wireless portions 36a, 38a and 40a to and/or with their respective electrical portions 36b, 38b and 40b. The term, “proper alignment” and derivatives thereof refer to horizontal and/or vertical positioning that achieves a desired result. The portions 36a, 36b, 38a, 38b, 40a, 40b may be properly aligned when the respective portions 36a, 36b, 38a, 38b, 40a, 40b are adjacent, engage and/or secured relative to one another. In addition or alternatively, a lower edge 88 of tongue 50 engages a secondary lead-in surface 90 (FIG. 4) on a spacer 91 to guide tongue 50 into slot 52 of housing 54. In other words, secondary lead-in surface 90 guides tongue 50 into the switch housing.

In some examples, as guide plate 34 lowers tongue 50 into slot 52, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, tongue 50 at some point engages a contact-moving member 92 (e.g., a button, lever, trigger, etc.) that closes/opens contacts 64 (e.g., from normally open to forced closed or from normally closed to forced open). Opening or closing contacts 64 provides controller 26 with a signal (e.g., feedback signal) 94 indicating whether barrier 10 is open or closed.

Also, in some examples, as tongue 50 enters slot 52, tongue 50 engages plunger 72, wherein plunger 72 is part of third electrical portion 40b of third safety device 40. FIG. 7 illustrates barrier 10 exerting a closing force 96 that pushes third wireless portion 40a (e.g., tongue 50) into latching engagement with the third electrical portion 40b (e.g., plunger 72) of third safety device 40, wherein closing force 96 in some examples comprises a combination result of the curtain's weight and the curtain's downward momentum 86. FIG. 7 also shows third electrical portion 40b of third safety device 40 exerting (e.g., via spring 78 and plunger 72) an upward resistive force 98 against third wireless portion 40a (e.g., against tongue 50) as closing force 96 pushes the third wireless portion 40a (e.g., tongue 50) into latching engagement with the third electrical portion 40b (e.g., plunger 72 of third electrical portion 40b), wherein closing force 96 is greater than upward resistive force 98.

In some examples, as shown in FIG. 2, drive unit 20 upon controllably releasing curtain 12 exerts a downward feed force 100 to curtain 12. FIG. 2 also illustrates transmitting a portion 102 of downward feed force 100 through curtain 12 and guide plate 34 to the third wireless portion 40a (e.g., to tongue 50), wherein portion 102 of downward feed force 100 reaching third wireless portion 40a is less than the upward resistive force 98 that third electrical portion 40b (e.g., plunger 72) exerts against third wireless portion 40a. So, although portion 102 helps in forcibly latching third safety device 40, in some examples, portion 102 alone is insufficient to latchingly engage tongue 50 within housing 54 of third safety device 40. Thus, the combination result of closing force 96, in this example, comprises the weight of curtain 12, the appreciable magnitude of downward momentum 86, and force portion 102 of downward feed force 100.

FIG. 2 also illustrates that while lowering curtain 12, barrier 10 avoids curtain 12 buckling and maintains curtain 12 generally taut in a vertical direction by limiting the curtain's 12 predetermined descending velocity and relying on the weight of curtain 12 and/or the weight of guide plate 34. In some examples, during some points along the curtain's 12 descent, drive unit 20 limits the curtain's 12 descending velocity to less than an object's terminal free-fall velocity or, in some examples, less than the curtain's 12 downward velocity achieved by gravity alone.

To control the operation of barrier 10, in some examples, first electrical portion 36b of first safety device 36 is communicatively coupled (e.g., via a wired or wireless connection) to convey a first and/or feedback signal 104 to controller 26, second electrical portion 38b of second safety device 38 is communicatively coupled (e.g., via a wired or wireless connection) to convey second signal 94 to controller 26, controller 26 is wired and/or communicatively coupled (e.g., via a wired or wireless connection) to third electrical portion 40b of third safety device 40 to convey an energizing and/or output signal 106 to solenoid 74, and controller 26 is communicatively coupled (e.g., via a wired or wireless connection) to drive unit 20 to convey output signal 80 that controls the operation of drive unit 20. Also, in some examples, controller 26 is communicatively coupled (e.g., via a wired or wireless connection) to receive a machine status signal 108 from a device 110 that indicates whether machinery 18 is in a predetermined safe state (e.g., inactive, not moving). As mentioned earlier, barrier 10 is particularly useful for guarding machinery (machine 18) having momentum that can maintain a level of danger for a period of time even after the machinery is turned off; consequently, machine status signal 108, in some examples, is used for determining whether third electrical portion 40b switch between its activated and deactivated states, thereby determining whether third safety device 40 releases curtain 12. In some examples, signals 80, 94, 104, 106 and 108 are used as follows:

Once first and second safety devices 36 and 38 determine that curtain 12 is closed and third safety device 40 latches and holds curtain 12 in the closed position, controller 26, in response to feedback signals 104 and 94 from respective first and second safety devices 36 and 38, enables and/or commands machine 18 to start operating (machine 18 being in an operating state). In some examples, the triggering or actuation of safety devices 36, 38 and 40 happen substantially simultaneously with perhaps only some inconsequential time delays. The triggering and/or actuation may occur substantially simultaneously to account for time delays caused by the curtain 12 moving to the fully closed position, for example. After machine 18 starts, in some examples, controller 26 prevents barrier 10 from opening until machine status signal 108 from device 110 indicates that machine 18 is safe or inactive (e.g., in a safe state). In some examples, the controller 26 prevents the the curtain 12 from opening by maintaining and/or enabling engagement between the third electrical portion 40b and the third wireless portion 40a. In some cases, due to machine momentum, machine 18 might not necessarily be safe or inactive immediately after machine 18 is de-energized or turned off (e.g., machine 18 being in a coast-down state with machine 18 moving due to momentum).

After status signal 108 indicates that it is safe to open barrier 10, controller 26, in some examples, outputs signal 106 that energizes solenoid 74. In some examples, energizing solenoid 74 releases third wireless portion 40a (e.g., tongue 50) by withdrawing plunger 72 from within opening 70. Controller 26 then outputs signal 80 to drive unit 20 to raise curtain 12.

In some examples, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, barrier 10′ includes a cleaning device 112 for removing dust and other contaminants from one or more safety devices (e.g., first safety device 36). In some examples, cleaning device 112 provides less resistance to curtain 12 closing under its own weight than to curtain 12 opening under the power of drive unit 20. In some examples, cleaning device 112 comprises a brush 114 (e.g., bristles, wiper, etc.) extending from a pivoting lever 116. In some examples, a magnet replaces or is used in addition to brush 114 as a means for removing ferrous contaminants from one or more safety devices 36, 38 and/or 40. In the illustrated example of brush 114, a pin 118 pivotally connects lever 116 to guide member 42. A second pin 120 limits the rotational movement of lever 116 about pin 118. As drive unit 20 lifts curtain 12 up, as shown in FIG. 10, the curtain's 12 upward movement drags brush 114 upward across the face of first electrical portion 36b of first safety device 36. Brush 114 dragging upward across the face of first electrical portion 36b forces lever 116 to pivot counterclockwise, as viewed in FIG. 10, until second pin or stop 120 stops the lever's 116 rotation. This positions cleaning device 112 to where brush 114 can exert appreciable cleaning pressure against the face of first electrical portion 36b.

Later, when barrier 10′ closes and curtain 12 descends, brush 114 dragging downward across the face of first electrical portion 36b tilts cleaning device 112 clockwise to the position shown in FIG. 11. In this tilted position, relatively little friction exists between brush 114 and the face of first electrical portion 36b, thus curtain 12 can readily descend without significant drag from brush 114.

In addition or alternatively, cleaning device 112 is used in a similar manner to clean the face of first wireless portion 36a. In such examples, cleaning device 112 is pivotally attached at some fixed location relative to track 32, and brush 114 drags across the face of first wireless portion 36a as barrier 10′ opens and/or closes. As in the example illustrated in FIGS. 10 and 11, cleaning device 112 is still configured to provide greater frictional brushing force when curtain 12 rises then when curtain 12 descends.

In some example barriers 10″, as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, includes a second safety device 122 that comprises a second wireless portion 122a and a second electrical portion and/or proximity sensor 122b, and a third safety device 124 comprises a third wireless portion 124a and a third electrical portion and/or solenoid 124b. In some examples, second electrical portion 122b is a proximity sensor (e.g., electric eye, Hall effect sensor, etc.), second wireless portion 122a is an axial face of a plunger 126 of a solenoid, third wireless portion 124a is opening 70 in tongue 50, and third electrical portion 124b is a solenoid.

Extending the solenoid's plunger 126 through opening 70, as shown in FIG. 13, latches and holds curtain 12 in its closed position. When third electrical portion 124b fully extends, second electrical portion 122b detects the presence of the second electrical portion (e.g., the axial face of the plunger) 122a, thereby determining that third safety device 124 is fully actuated. Controller 26 determines that barrier 10″ is secure with curtain 12 latched in its closed position when second electrical portion 122b detects the second wireless portion 122a while first safety device 36 senses that curtain 12 is in its closed position.

FIG. 14 is a flow diagram representative of example machine readable instructions which may be executed to implement the apparatus of FIGS. 1-13. The example computer readable instructions of FIG. 14 may be executed to control a barrier system based on feedback. The example processes of FIG. 14 may be performed using a processor, a controller and/or any other suitable processing device. For example, the example processes of FIG. 14 may be implemented using coded instructions (e.g., computer readable instructions) stored on a tangible computer readable medium such as a flash memory, a read-only memory (ROM), and/or a random-access memory (RAM). As used herein, the term tangible computer readable medium is expressly defined to include any type of computer readable storage and to exclude propagating signals. Additionally or alternatively, the example processes of FIG. 14 may be implemented using coded instructions (e.g., computer readable instructions) stored on a non-transitory computer readable medium such as a flash memory, a read-only memory (ROM), a random-access memory (RAM), a cache, or any other storage media in which information is stored for any duration (e.g., for extended time periods, permanently, brief instances, for temporarily buffering, and/or for caching of the information). As used herein, the term non-transitory computer readable medium is expressly defined to include any type of computer readable medium and to exclude propagating signals.

Alternatively, some or all of the example blocks of FIG. 14 may be implemented using any combination(s) of application specific integrated circuit(s) (ASIC(s)), programmable logic device(s) (PLD(s)), field programmable logic device(s) (FPLD(s)), discrete logic, hardware, firmware, etc. Also, some or all of the example blocks of FIG. 14 may be implemented manually or as any combination(s) of any of the foregoing techniques, for example, any combination of firmware, software, discrete logic and/or hardware. Further, although the example process of FIG. 14 is described with reference to the flow diagram of FIG. 14 other methods of implementing the process of FIG. 14 may be employed. For example, the order of execution of the blocks may be changed, and/or some of the blocks described may be changed, eliminated, sub-divided, or combined. Additionally, any or all of the example blocks of FIG. 14 may be performed sequentially and/or in parallel by, for example, separate processing threads, processors, devices, discrete logic, circuits, etc.

The example process of FIG. 14 begins when the controller 26 receives barrier information (e.g., feedback) from the first electrical portion 36b, the second electrical portion 38b and/or the third electrical portion 40b and/or when the controller 26 receives machine status information from the machine 18 (block 1402). In some examples, the barrier information includes information relating to the curtain 12 of the barrier 10 being in a closed position, a secure position, a non-secure position, an open position, etc. In some examples, the machine information includes information relating to the machine 18 being in a non-safe state, a safe state, operating state, etc.

The controller 26 determines if the barrier 10 is in a secured state (block 1404). The controller 26 may determine that the curtain 12 of the barrier 10 is in a secured state based on the feedback (e.g., barrier information) from the first electrical portion 36b and/or the second electrical portion 38b. If the barrier 10 is not in the secured state, the controller 26 determines whether or not to cause the barrier 10 to move to the closed position and to secure the barrier by, for example, requesting and receiving feedback from an operator using a user interface (e.g., monitor, keyboard, etc.) (block 1406) and/or based on the feedback received at block 1402.

If the barrier 10 is in the secured state, the controller 26 determines whether or not to permit the machine 18 to operate by, for example, requesting and receiving feedback from an operator (e.g., monitor, keyboard, etc.) and/or based on the feedback received at block 1402 (block 1408). If the controller 26 determines to permit the machine to operate, the controller 26 determines if the machine status is associated with a safe state based on, for example, feedback received at block 1402 (block 1410). The machine 18 may be associated with a safe state if, for example, parts of the machine 18 that may cause injury to an operator are not moving (e.g., a saw blade) and/or are in a safe position. If the controller 26 determines that the machine 18 is not in a safe state, the controller 26 maintains the barrier 10 in the secured position until a safe state is achieved (block 1412).

If the controller 26 determines that the machine 18 is in a safe state, the controller 26 determines whether or not to cause the barrier 10 to move to the open position by, for example, requesting and receiving feedback from an operator using a user interface (e.g., monitor, keyboard, etc.) and/or based on feedback received at block 1402 (block 1414). If the barrier 10 is to be moved to the open position, the controller 26 causes the curtain 12 to be moved to the open position (block 1416).

FIG. 15 is a block diagram of an example processor system 1500 that may be used to execute the example instructions of FIG. 14 to control a barrier. As shown in FIG. 15, the processor system 1500 includes a processor 1502 that is coupled to an interconnection bus 1504. The processor 1502 may be any suitable processor, processing unit or microprocessor and may implement the controller 26. The processor system 1500 may be a multi-processor system and, thus, may include one or more additional processors that are identical or similar to the processor 1502 and that are communicatively coupled to the interconnection bus 1504.

The processor 1502 of FIG. 15 is coupled to a chipset 1506, which includes a memory controller 1508 and an input/output (I/O) controller 1510. The chipset 1506 typically provides I/O and memory management functions as well as a plurality of general purpose and/or special purpose registers, timers, etc. that are accessible or used by one or more processors coupled to the chipset 1506. The memory controller 1508 performs functions that enable the processor 1502 (or processors if there are multiple processors) to access a system memory 1512 and a mass storage memory 1514.

The system memory 1512 may include any desired type(s) of volatile and/or non-volatile memory such as, for example, static random access memory (SRAM), dynamic random access memory (DRAM), flash memory, read-only memory (ROM), etc. The mass storage memory 1514 may include any desired type(s) of mass storage device including hard disk drives, optical drives, tape storage devices, etc.

The I/O controller 1510 performs functions that enable the processor 1502 to communicate with peripheral input/output (I/O) devices 1516 and 1518 and a network interface 1520 via an I/O bus 1522. The I/O devices 1516 and 1518 may be any desired type of I/O device such as, for example, a keyboard, a video display or monitor, a mouse, etc. The network interface 1520 may be, for example, an Ethernet device, an asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) device, an 802.11 device, a DSL modem, a cable modem, a cellular modem, etc. that enables the processor system 1500 to communicate with other devices such as the sensors described above.

While the memory controller 1508 and the I/O controller 1510 are depicted in FIG. 15 as separate blocks within the chipset 1506, the functions performed by these blocks may be integrated within a single semiconductor circuit or may be implemented using two or more separate integrated circuits.

Although certain example methods, apparatus and articles of manufacture have been disclosed herein, the scope of the coverage of this patent is not limited thereto. On the contrary, this patent covers all methods, apparatus and articles of manufacture fairly falling within the scope of the claims of this patent either literally or under the doctrine of equivalents.

Claims

1. A barrier for an opening, the barrier comprising: a motorized drive unit;a curtain suspended from the motorized drive unit, the curtain comprising a leading edge and a lateral edge, the leading edge of the curtain being selectively moveable to a closed position where the curtain obstructs the opening and to an open position where the curtain uncovers the opening;a track disposed along the lateral edge of the curtain;a guide plate carried by the curtain to extend into the track;a nonferrous guide member attached to the guide plate; anda first safety device comprising a first wireless portion and a first electrical portion, the first wireless portion being attached to the nonferrous guide member, the first electrical portion being mounted at a first substantially fixed position relative to the track, the first electrical portion having a first activated state and a first deactivated state, the first electrical portion being in the first activated state when the first wireless portion is in proximity with the first electrical portion as a result of the leading edge of the curtain being at the closed position, the first wireless portion being in the first deactivated state when the first wireless portion is remote relative to the first electrical portion as a result of the leading edge of the curtain not being in the closed position.

2. The barrier of claim 1, wherein the guide plate comprises metal.

3. The barrier of claim 1, wherein the first wireless portion of the first safety device is magnetic.

4. The barrier of claim 1, further comprising: a second safety device comprising a second wireless portion and a second electrical portion, the second wireless portion being affixed relative to the guide plate to move therewith, the second electrical portion being mounted at a second substantially fixed position relative to the track, the second electrical portion having a second activated state and a second deactivated state, the second electrical portion being in the second activated state when the second wireless portion engages the second electrical portion as a result of the leading edge of the curtain being at the closed position, the second wireless portion being in the second deactivated state when the second wireless portion is spaced apart from the second electrical portion as a result of the leading edge of the curtain not being in the closed position, the second electrical portion includes a set of electrical contacts;a third safety device comprising a third wireless portion and a third electrical portion, the third wireless portion being affixed relative to the guide plate to move therewith, the third electrical portion to be mounted at a third substantially fixed position relative to the track, the third electrical portion having a third activated state and a third deactivated state, the third electrical portion being in the third activated state when the third wireless portion is latched onto the third electrical portion as a result of the leading edge of the curtain being at the closed position, the third wireless portion being in the third deactivated state when the third wireless portion is spaced apart from the third electrical portion as a result of the leading edge of the curtain not being in the closed position, the third electrical portion includes a solenoid actuated latch, the second electrical portion and the third electrical portion sharing a housing, the second wireless portion and the third wireless portion share a common actuator; all three of the first wireless portion, the second wireless portion and the third wireless portion supported by the guide plate; anda controller to be coupled to the first electrical portion, the second electrical portion, the third electrical portion, and the motorized drive unit.

5. The barrier of claim 1, further comprising a tapered lead-in surface in a substantially fixed relationship with the track, the nonferrous guide member engaging the tapered lead-in surface when the leading edge of the curtain is in the closed position, and the nonferrous guide member being spaced apart from the tapered lead-in surface when the leading edge of the curtain is in the open position.

6. The barrier of claim 5, wherein the nonferrous guide member upon engaging the tapered lead-in surface establishes vertical alignment between the first wireless portion and the first electrical portion.

7. The barrier of claim 5, wherein the nonferrous guide member upon engaging the tapered lead-in surface establishes horizontal alignment between the first wireless portion and the first electrical portion.

8. The barrier of claim 5, wherein the nonferrous guide member includes a beveled surface matingly engaging the tapered lead-in surface when the leading edge of the curtain is in the closed position.

9. The barrier of claim 5, further comprising a secondary lead-in surface in a substantially fixed relationship with the track, the third wireless portion engaging the secondary lead-in surface when the leading edge of the curtain approaches the closed position, and the third wireless portion being spaced apart from the secondary lead-in surface when the leading edge of the curtain is in the open position.

10. A barrier for an opening, the barrier comprising: a motorized drive unit;a curtain to be suspended from the motorized drive unit, the curtain comprising a leading edge and a lateral edge, the leading edge of the curtain being selectively moveable to a closed position where the curtain obstructs the opening and to an open position where the curtain exposes the opening;a track disposed along the lateral edge of the curtain;a guide plate carried by the curtain to extend into the track, the guide plate being more rigid than the leading edge of the curtain;a first safety device comprising a first wireless portion and a first electrical portion, the first wireless portion being affixed relative to the guide plate to move therewith, the first electrical portion being mounted at a first substantially fixed position relative to the track, the first electrical portion having a first activated state and a first deactivated state, the first electrical portion being in the first activated state when the first wireless portion is in proximity with the first electrical portion as a result of the leading edge of the curtain being at the closed position, the first wireless portion being in the first deactivated state when the first wireless portion is remote relative to the first electrical portion as a result of the leading edge of the curtain not being in the closed position;a second safety device comprising a second wireless portion and a second electrical portion, the second wireless portion being affixed relative to the guide plate for movement therewith, the second electrical portion being mounted at a second substantially fixed position relative to the track, the second electrical portion having a second activated state and a second deactivated state, the second electrical portion being in the second activated state when the second wireless portion engages the second electrical portion as a result of the leading edge of the curtain being at the closed position, the second wireless portion being in the second deactivated state when the second wireless portion is spaced apart from the second electrical portion as a result of the leading edge of the curtain not being in the closed position;a third safety device comprising a third wireless portion and a third electrical portion, the third wireless portion being affixed relative to the guide plate to move therewith, the third electrical portion being mounted at a third substantially fixed position relative to the track, the third electrical portion having a third activated state and a third deactivated state, the third electrical portion being in the third activated state when the third wireless portion is latched onto the third electrical portion as a result of the leading edge of the curtain being at the closed position, the third wireless portion being in the third deactivated state when the third wireless portion is spaced apart from the third electrical portion as a result of the leading edge of the curtain not being in the closed position, the third electrical portion includes a solenoid actuated latch, the second electrical portion and the third electrical portion share a common housing, the second wireless portion and the third wireless portion share a common actuator; all three of the first wireless portion, the second wireless portion and the third wireless portion support by the guide plate; anda controller in communication with the first electrical portion, the second electrical portion, the third electrical portion, and the motorized drive unit.

11. The barrier of claim 10, further comprising a nonferrous guide member attached to the guide plate, wherein the first wireless portion of the first safety device is attached to the nonferrous guide member.

12. The barrier of claim 11, further comprising a tapered lead-in surface in a substantially fixed relationship with the track, the nonferrous guide member engaging the tapered lead-in surface when the leading edge of the curtain is in the closed position, and the nonferrous guide member being spaced apart from the tapered lead-in surface when the leading edge of the curtain is in the open position.

13. The barrier of claim 10, further comprising: a guide member affixed to the curtain; anda tapered lead-in surface in a substantially fixed relationship with the track, the guide member engaging the tapered lead-in surface when the leading edge of the curtain is in the closed position, the guide member being spaced apart from the tapered lead-in surface when the leading edge of the curtain is in the open position, the guide member engaging the tapered lead-in surface establishes: a) alignment between the first wireless portion and the first electrical portion,b) alignment between the second wireless portion and the second electrical portion, andc) alignment between the third wireless portion and the third electrical portion.

14. The barrier of claim 10, wherein the first electrical portion is higher than the second and third electrical portions regardless of whether the leading edge of the curtain is in the open position or the closed position.

15. The barrier of claim 10, wherein the first, second and third electrical portions switch to their respective first, second and third activated states substantially simultaneously in response to the leading edge of the curtain reaching the closed position.

16. The barrier of claim 10, further comprising a cleaning device to be selectively in cleaning proximity and vertically spaced apart relationship with at least one of the first electrical portion or the first wireless portion, the cleaning device moving relative to at least one of the first electrical portion or the first wireless portion as the leading edge of the curtain moves between the closed position and the open position.

17. The barrier of claim 16, wherein frictional drag between the cleaning device and at least one of the first electrical portion or the first wireless portion is greater as the leading edge of the curtain moves from the closed position to the open position than when the leading edge of the curtain moves from the open position to the closed position.

18. The barrier of claim 10, wherein the controller is to receive a machine status signal from a machine, the control to enable the third electrical portion to switch between the third activated state and the third deactivated state in response to the controller receiving a machine status signal associated with the machine being in a safe state.

19. The barrier of claim 10, further comprising a machine behind the curtain when the curtain is in the closed position, the machine being in an operating state with the machine moving under energized power, a coast-down state with the machine moving due to momentum, and a safe state; and a machine status signal indicating the machine is in the safe state, the third electrical portion switching between the third activated state and the third deactivated state in response to the machine status signal.

20. A method operating a curtain suspended from a drive unit, the method comprising: lowering the curtain, the weight of the curtain providing at least a portion of an appreciable downward force to move a leading edge of the curtain downward; andupon lowering the curtain, exerting a closing force that pushes a wireless actuator into latching engagement with an electrical portion of a safety device, the closing force comprising the appreciable downward force.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the electrical portion of the safety device exerts an upward resistive force against the wireless actuator as the closing force pushes the wireless actuator into latching engagement with the electrical portion of the safety device, the closing force being greater than the upward resistive force.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein: the motorized drive unit exerts a downward feed force to the curtain; andtransmitting a portion of the downward feed force to the wireless actuator, the portion of the downward feed force reaching the wireless actuator being less than the upward resistive force that the electrical portion exerts against the wireless actuator.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein a combination result of the closing force comprises the appreciable downward force, and the portion of the downward force transmitted from the motorized drive to the wireless actuator.

24. The method of claim 20, wherein the curtain comprises of a polymeric material, and a guide plate comprising a metal, and the guide plate is to travel with the curtain to provide an appreciable percentage of the appreciable downward force.

25. The method of claim 20, further comprising: while lowering the curtain, maintaining the curtain generally taut by limiting the velocity and relying on weight from at least one of the curtain and the guide plate.

26. A barrier system, comprising: a curtain to be moveable between an open position and a closed position, the open position to enable access to equipment, the closed position to substantially prevent access to the equipment;one or more sensors to at least determine when to the curtain is in the closed position;a securing device moveable between a secured position to secure the curtain and an unsecured position to enable movement of the curtain; anda controller to control the curtain and the securing device based at least on feedback received from the equipment, wherein, in response to the controller receiving feedback associated with the equipment being in a safe state, the controller to cause the securing device to move to the unsecured position and for the curtain to move from the closed position.