US 12,404,699 B2
Foot-operated systems and devices for handless operation of a door
Marcus A. Caines, San Diego, CA (US); Theodore Tillinghast, Vista, CA (US); and Clarke A. Caines, Carlsbad, CA (US)
Assigned to AZTECH INDUSTRIAL DEVICES LLC, Carlsbad, CA (US)
Filed by AZTECH INDUSTRIAL DEVICES LLC, Carlsbad, CA (US)
Filed on May 12, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/316,930.
Application 18/316,930 is a continuation in part of application No. 17/522,789, filed on Nov. 9, 2021, granted, now 12,024,926.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/341,569, filed on May 13, 2022.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/113,699, filed on Nov. 13, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2023/0279698 A1, Sep. 7, 2023
Int. Cl. E05B 53/00 (2006.01)
CPC E05B 53/001 (2013.01) 17 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A system for hands free operation of a door, the system comprising:
a pinion configured to attach to a spindle of a door handle external to a mounting rose of the door handle;
an arm member having an upper end and a lower end;
a foot pedal connected to the lower end of the arm member; and
a plate connected to the upper end of the arm member, the plate having:
a first elongated member and a second elongated member;
an upper plate portion connected between the first and second elongated members, wherein the first and second elongated members extend in a direction from the upper end of the arm member to the upper plate portion;
an opening formed by the first and second elongated members and the upper plate portion, the opening configured to receive the pinion, wherein the first and second elongated members provide first and second sides of the opening; and
a rack formed on the first side of the opening of the plate and configured to engage with the pinion; and
a stop on an upper end of the opening formed by the upper plate portion,
wherein operation of the foot pedal in a downward direction away from the plate causes a downward translational movement of the plate toward the foot pedal via the arm member, and the rack and pinion translate the downward translational movement applied to the plate to a rotational movement that rotates the spindle and operates the door handle, and
wherein the stop is configured to halt the downward translational movement applied to the plate when the pinion contacts the stop.