WO2021188434A1

WO2021188434A1 - Ultraviolet c germicidal light emitting retrofit system for continuous doorknob, door handle lever and door bar handle sanitation

Info

Publication number: WO2021188434A1
Application number: PCT/US2021/022364
Authority: WO
Inventors: Tom Chi
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2020-03-15
Filing date: 2021-03-15
Publication date: 2021-09-23
Anticipated expiration: 2022-09-15

Abstract

An ultraviolet C germicidal light emitting continuous sanitizing retrofit system for door access device includes a door for entering and exiting a premise and a door access device associated with the door in which a user comes into physical contact with the door access device. A source of sanitizing ultraviolet C emitting light is associated with the door access device and positioned so that the door access device is sanitized and germ- free. The door includes a power relying hinge and means to electrically energize the source of the sanitizing ultraviolet light C.

Description

Ultraviolet C Germicidal Light Emitting Retrofit System for Continuous Doorknob., Door Handle Lever and Door Bar Handle Sanitation

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Technical Field of the Invention

The present invention relates, generally, an ultraviolet C germicidal light emitting retrofit system for disinfecting and sterilizing doorknobs, door handle levers, door bar handles and other devices that are touched by a user hand.

More particularly, the present invention relates to an ultraviolet C germicidal light emitting retrofit system for exposing a doorknob, a door lever, a door bar handle, a faucet lever/handle, elevator buttons and other devices to ultraviolet C germicidal sterilizing light to kill or inactivate microorganisms by destroying nucleic acids, disrupting their DNA or RNA, thereby leaving such microorganisms unable to function or reproduce.

Description of the Prior Art

It is well established that germs from a person’s hands are easily communicated to the person’s face, especially when the hands touch the face several times a minute, as for example when the eyes are rubbed, the nose is touched and other times when the hands consciously and unconsciously touch the face.

Since the exposed face is more susceptible than any other part of the human body to transmitting germs to the body’s internal system it imperative to maintain, as best as possible, a germ-free face and hands free of pathogens which can enter the eyes, ears, mouth, nose etc.

Various devices and method for sanitizing surfaces and objects using ultraviolet light are generally known to the prior art and the state of the art is generally represented by the following prior art references: Visco et al., U.S. Patent No. 4,856,140; Manson et al., U.S. Patent No. 6,289,557; Jones, U.S. Patent No. 7,175,807; Sassoon, U.S. Patent No. 7,360,674; Stropkay et ah, U.S. Patent No. 7,458,742; Jones, U.S. Patent No. 7,598,501; Zevallos, U.S. Patent No. 7,716,789; Balzano, U.S. Patent No. 8,353,085; Caron, U.S. Patent No. 8,375,521; Bracey, U.S. Patent No. 9,051,757; Brennan, U.S. Patent No. 9,200,771; Roberts et al., U.S. Patent No. 9,376,833; and, Strombeck et ah, U.S. Patent No. 10,422,158.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A primary object of the present invention is to provide a system for sanitizing doorknobs, door handle levers, door bar handles, elevator buttons, public use keyboards, such as notebooks/laptops in a physician’s office, sink levers, toilet handles etc., to prevent transmission of pathogens from doorknobs, door handle levers and door bar handles, etc., to a person’s hand and subsequently to a person’s face.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a way to disinfect the doorknobs, door handle levers, door bar levers by introducing a cover/sleeve to existing doorknobs, levers, door-opening bars, push plates, toilet flush handles, sink levers and other knobs and buttons as well as other push-open or closed surfaces that can allow pathogens to contact a person and spread disease and other unsanitary conditions.

An additional object of the present invention is provide a cover/sleeve for existing doorknobs, door handle levers, door bar handles wherein the cover/sleeve is embedded with a source of ultraviolet germicidal/sterilizing light rays so that any germs, viruses, bacteria, mold and spores on the cover/sleeve are rendered inactive and harmless.

Another object of the present invention is to provide constant/intermittent energy to power the source of the ultraviolet germicidal irradiation so that the doorknob, door handle lever and door bar handle is continuously germ free. A further object of the present invention is to fabricate the covers/sleeves by being glued together, being able to be slip-on, to snap together and be modular in design.

Another object of the present invention is to fabricate the covers/sleeves from any material such as quartz or plastic to allow ultralight C germicidal light to be in contact with the outside surface of the cover.

An additional object of the present invention is to incorporate ultralight C germicidal light into a push plate that is used on typical doors.

It is, yet, another object of the present invention is to incorporate an ultraviolet C germicidal light ring onto door levers and doorknobs.

Another object of the present invention is embed light emitting diodes (LED’s) in the interior or exterior surfaces with the same result, namely to sterilize the contact surfaces from viruses, bacteria, mold, spores and other pathogens that could be spread to the eyes, ears, nose and mouth.

Another object of the present invention is to minimize and/or reduce the transfer of germs from the hand to the body from common activity as consuming fast food such as hotdogs, hamburgers, pretzels, ice cream, egg rolls and alike.

The foregoing and related objects are accomplished by the present invention, which provides an ultraviolet C germicidal light emitting continuous sanitizing retrofit system for door access device, which includes a door for entering and exiting a premise and a door access device associated with the door in which a user comes into physical contact with the door access device. A source of sanitizing ultraviolet C emitting light is associated with the door access device and positioned so that the door access device is sanitized and germ-free. The door includes a power relying hinge and means to electrically energize the source of the sanitizing ultraviolet light C. Preferably, the source of the sanitizing ultraviolet C emitting light is in the shape of a sleeve that that substantially surrounds and slips over the door access device with the source of the sanitizing ultraviolet C light preferably being embedded into the sleeve that encompasses the door access device.

The door access device may include, by way of example, doorknobs, contoured door handles and door bar handles.

Preferably, the source of ultraviolet C light may include light emitting diodes, fiber optics, glass fiber and mercury bulbs.

Preferably, the means to electrically energize the source of the ultraviolet C light is transmitted to the door via a power relaying hinge and said energy is transmitted to sleeves by connecting said sleeves to the energized door by electrical wire.

The source of sanitizing ultraviolet C emitting light associated with a ultraviolet C germicidal light emitting ring may be slipped over the door access device and electrically connected to the electrified door and is positioned so that the door access device is sanitized and germ-free.

Other objects and features of the present invention will become apparent when considered in combination with the accompanying drawing figures, which illustrate certain preferred embodiment of the present invention. It should, however, be noted that the accompanying drawing figures are intended to illustrate only select preferred embodiments of the claimed invention and are not intended as a means for defining the limits and scope of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

In the drawing figures, wherein similar features are denoted with similar reference numerals throughout the several views: FIG. 1 is an overview of an unprotected germ laden doorknob;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the present invention for an ultraviolet C germicidal light emitting retrofit system for continuous door access sanitation with ultraviolet C germicidal light emitting source incorporated into the cover/sleeve and the cover/sleeve displaced from the doorknob:

FIG.3 is perspective view of the present invention incorporated into the cover/sleeve and the cover/sleeve assembled to the doorknob;

FIG. 4 is an overview of the present invention with an unprotected door lever handle with germs contained thereon;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the present invention with an unprotected door lever handle with germs and the cover/sleeve displaced from the door lever handle;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the present invention with the cover/sleeve assembled to the door lever handle;

FIG. 7 is an overview of the present invention with an unprotected door bar handle with germs contained thereon;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of present invention with an unprotected door bar handle with germs and the cover/sleeve displaced from the door lever handle;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the present invention with the cover/sleeve assembled to the door bar handle;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the present invention depicting various covers/sleeves with integral ultraviolet C light sources embedded therein; FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the present invention depicting a circular ring (and may be any shape) in conjunction with a door handle with a source of ultraviolet C germicidal light dispersed around its periphery so that the door handle is sanitized;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a door push plate embedded with a source of ultraviolet C germicidal light for sanitizing the door push plate; and,

FIG. 13 presents an elevational view of a structure utilizing the present invention for transmitting electric current to the source of the ultraviolet C germicidal light.

DESCRIPTION OF THE REFERENCE NUMERALS

10 unprotected door access device such as a doorknob 12 ultraviolet C germicidal light

14 electrical port

14a electrical connecting wire from electrical port on sleeve/cover to electrical port on door

16 source of ultraviolet C germicide light from light emitting diodes, fiber optics, glass fiber, mercury bulbs or any other ultraviolet C wavelength light source

18 doorknob sleeve/cover with source of ultraviolet C germicide light that is permeable to ultraviolet C germicidal light and slips over the door access device 20 germs

22 door access devise such as contoured door handle

24 door handle sleeve/cover

26 door access device such as door bar handle

28 door bar cover/sleeve

30 ultraviolet C germicidal light emitting ring

32 door

34 wall 36 hinge

38 electrical input typically 120 volts AC

40 AC-to-DC converter to convert typically 120 volt AC to lower power DC 42 power relaying hinge

44 adhesive backed current carrying conduit/track

46 door access device such as a door push plate

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES AND PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Turning now, in detail, to the accompanying drawing figures, FIG.l is an overview of an unprotected doorknob 10 on a door 32 wherein doorknob 10 is contaminated with germs 20. FIG. 2 illustrates doorknob 10 affixed to door 32. Permeable doorknob sleeve/cover 18 with source of ultraviolet C germicidal light 16 is shown displaced from doorknob 10. Doorknob sleeve/cover 18 is constructed with material that is permeable to ultraviolet C germicidal light when energized ultraviolet C germicidal light from source 16 comes into contact with the user’s hands „ Ultraviolet C germicidal light source 16 is shown associated with doorknob sleeve/cover 18. Electrical port 14 is incorporated into cover/sleeve 18 and also is incorporated into door 32. FIG. 3 shows sleeve/cover 18 assembled to doorknob 10 with the source of ultraviolet C germicidal light 16 emitting ultraviolet C germicidal light 12 so that the resulting grasping surface is germ-free. Electrical connecting conduit 14a connects to electrical port 14 in door 32 and with electrical port 14 in doorknob sleeve/cover 18 to energize source 16 of ultraviolet C germicidal light which emits ultraviolet C germicidal light 12.

FIG. 4 is an overview of an unprotected door lever 22 on door 32 wherein door lever 22 is contaminated with germs 20. FIG. 5 shows door lever 22 affixed to door 32. Permeable door lever sleeve/cover 24 with a source of ultraviolet C germicidal light 16 is shown displaced from doorknob 10. Door lever sleeve/cover 24 is constructed with material that is permeable to ultraviolet C germicidal light when energized ultraviolet C germicidal light from source 16 comes into contact with the user’s hands. Ultraviolet C germicidal light source 16 is shown associated with door lever sleeve/cover 24. Electrical port 14 is incorporated into door lever cover/sleeve 24 and also is incorpo-rated into door 32. FIG. 6 shows door lever sleeve/cover 18 assembled to door lever 22 with the source of ultraviolet C germicidal light 16 emitting ultraviolet C germicidal light 12 so that the resulting grasping surface is germ-free. Electrical connecting conduit 14a connects to electrical port 14 in door 32 and with electrical port 14 in door lever sleeve/cover 24 to energize source 16 of the ultraviolet C germicidal light, which emits ultraviolet C germicidal light 12.

FIG. 7 is an overview of an unprotected door bar handle 26 on door 32 wherein door bar handle 26 is contaminated with germs 20. FIG. 8 shows door bar handle 26 affixed to door 32. Permeable door bar handle sleeve/cover 28 with the source of ultraviolet C germicidal light 16 is shown displaced from doorknob 10. Door bar handle sleeve/cover 28 is constructed with material that is permeable to ultraviolet C germicidal light when the energized ultraviolet C germicidal light from source 16 comes into contact with the user’s hands. Ultraviolet C germicidal light source 16 is shown associated with door bar handle sleeve/cover 28. Electrical port 14 is incorporated into door bar handle cover/sleeve 26 and also is incorporated into door 32. FIG. 9 shows door bar handle sleeve/cover 28 assembled to door bar handle 26 with the source of ultraviolet C germicidal light 16 emitting ultraviolet C germicidal light 12 so that the resulting grasping surface is germ-free. Electrical connecting conduit 14a connects to electrical port 14 in door 32 and with electrical port 14 in door bar handle sleeve/cover 28 to energize source 16 of ultraviolet C germicidal light which emits ultraviolet C germicidal light 12.

FIG. 10 illustrates conventional usages of sleeves/covers, namely 18, 24 and 28, which when assembled to the door are the touching surface of a person’s hand’s when coming into contact with door 32.

FIG. 11 shows the application of the same sanitation system incorporated into an ultraviolet C germicidal light emitting ring 30 and is electrically powered by electrical ports 14 in both door 32 and ultraviolet C germicidal light ring 30 by electrical connecting wire 14a.

FIG. 12 incorporates the same ultraviolet C light germicidal emitting system into door push plate 46 so that when a user comes into contact with door push plate 46, ultraviolet c germicidal light 12 is emitted.

FIG. 13 details the structure to power the ultraviolet C light germicidal emitting system. Typical door 32 is attached to wall 34 by one or more hinges 36. Electrical input power 38 provides typically 120 volts AC current to AC-to-DC converter 40 resulting in low power DC current being transferred by power relaying hinge 42 to adhesive backed current carrying conduit/track 44. Electrical port 14 located at the terminus of adhesive backed current carrying conduit/track 44 is connected by electrical connecting wire 14a to electrical port 14 located in the various door devices such as doorknob sleeve/cover 18, door handle sleeve/cover 24, door bar cover/sleeve 28, ultraviolet C germicidal light emitting ring 30 and door push plate 46.

While only several embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that many modifications may be made to the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope thereof.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. An ultraviolet C germicidal light emitting continuous sanitizing retrofit system for door access devices, comprising: a door for entering and exiting a premise; a door access device associated with the door where a user comes into physical contact with the door access device; a source of sanitizing ultraviolet C emitting light associated with the door access device positioned so that the door access device is sanitized and germ-free; a power relying hinge for the door; and, means to electrically energize the source of the sanitizing ultraviolet light C.

2. The ultraviolet C germicidal light emitting continuous sanitizing retrofit system for door access devices accordingly to Claim 1, wherein the source of the sanitizing ultraviolet C emitting light is in the shape of a sleeve that substantially surrounds the door access device.

3. The ultraviolet C germicidal light emitting continuous sanitizing retrofit system for door access devices accordingly to Claim 2, wherein the source of the sanitizing ultraviolet C emitting light is embedded into the sleeve that encompasses the door access device.

4. The ultraviolet C germicidal light emitting continuous sanitizing retrofit system for door access devices accordingly to Claim 1 , wherein the door access device is one of a doorknob, a contoured door handles and a door bar handle.

5. The ultraviolet C germicidal light emitting continuous sanitizing retrofit system for door access devices accordingly to Claim 1 , wherein the source of the ultraviolet C light is one of a light emitting diodes, a fiber optics cable, glass fiber and a mercury bulb.

6. The ultraviolet C germicidal light emitting continuous sanitizing retrofit system for door access devices accordingly to Claim 2, wherein the sleeve is fabricated from ultraviolet C light permeable material so that the ultraviolet C light emitted from the source of the ultraviolet C light comes into contact and sanitizes the door access device.

7. The ultraviolet C germicidal light emitting continuous sanitizing retrofit system for door access devices accordingly to Claim 1 , wherein said means to electrically energize the source of the ultraviolet C light is transmitted to the door by via a power relaying hinge.

8. The ultraviolet C germicidal light emitting continuous sanitizing retrofit system for door access devices accordingly to Claim 1 , wherein the source of sanitizing ultraviolet C emitting light is associated with a ultraviolet C germicidal light emitting ring that is slipped over the door access device and electrically connects to the electrified door and is positioned so that the door access device is sanitized and germ-free.