Any ideas on inexpensive door openers?

[Gardner, Richard J]

Ross,

If the goal is to unlock the dead bolt, you might consider using a battery
powered deadbolt actuator with an infrared controller.  These systems are
inexpensive, easy to install and battery operated.  Smarthome offers several
such units, some with X-10 protocol, thus multiple switching options (e.g.,
motion sensors, load cells, infrared beams, etc.).  
http://www.smarthome.com/5180b.html
http://www.smarthome.com/5197.html

If the person needs a power assisted door opener, check-out
http://www.gentlemandoor.com/.  A quick web search turned them up, so I
can't vouch for the quality of the system... however, looks like a pretty
nifty way to use pneumatics vs. 110V ac power to open a door.

Hope this helps.

Rich Gardner, P.E.
Ergonomist
Boeing Commercial Airplanes


-----Original Message-----
From: R. Baarslag-Benson [mailto:rossbb at u.washington.edu]
Sent: Thursday, February 14, 2002 5:21 PM
To: Statewide forum on assistive-technology issues
Subject: Any ideas on inexpensive door openers? 


Our Assistive Tech Ctr is trying to help someone with a power wheelchair.
She lives in an area with frequent power outages, making electronic door
openers with battery backup very expensive.

She especially needs to be able to open an upstairs door into the
two-story garage, then a door to the outside at the bottom of a 90 ft ramp.

Has anyone heard of a mechanical setup for this?  Such as guiding her
wheelchair wheel to push down a lever sticking up out of a hole in the
floor. That could pull a cable, releasing a bolt that locks the door?

All suggestions appreciated,   Ross
-- 
		    Ross Baarslag-Benson, M.S., CCC-SLP, ATP
		    Speech Pathology Clinical Specialist
		    Assistive Technology Center
		    Harborview Medical Center, Seattle
		    206 731-4451 non-work email: rossbb at attbi.com