Power door opener

Abstract

A power door opener including an actuator having a housing with an electrically powered actuator shaft that can be extended from a closed to an extended position. In one embodiment, a movable push plate is affixed to the actuator shaft and a fixed push plate is fixed in its position with respect to the housing. In the closed position of the actuator shaft, the fixed and movable push plates are aligned to form a combined edge for insertion into the space between a door and door jamb. The actuator shaft extends to move the movable push plate apart from the fixed push plate to spread the space and release the door from the door jamb. Alternatively, a double ended power door opener is located between opposite door jambs and the extending of the actuator shaft forces the door jambs apart to release the door from the door jamb.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A power door opener comprising a power actuator having a housing with a actuator shaft movable between a closed position and an extended position wherein the actuator shaft is extended outwardly from the housing and an electric motor adapted to move the actuator shaft between its closed and extended positions, a fixed push plate immovably affixed to the power actuator, the fixed push plate having a fixed tapered pry member extending outwardly therefrom, and a movable push plate affixed to the actuator shaft, the movable push plate having a movable tapered pry member extending outwardly therefrom, wherein the fixed pry member and the movable pry member are aligned in close proximity to form a common edge when the actuator shaft is in its closed position and the common edge tapers inwardly in the outer direction so as to be forcible into a linear opening. 
     
     
         2 . The power door opener as defined in  claim 1  wherein the movable pry member is bifurcated forming an opening and the fixed pry member interfits into the opening when the actuator shaft is in the closed position. 
     
     
         3 . The power door opener as defined in  claim 1  wherein the movable push plate is affixed to the actuator shaft by means of a pin passing though the actuator shaft and the movable push plate. 
     
     
         4 . The power door opener as defined in  claim 1  wherein the electric motor is controlled by a remote controller. 
     
     
         5 . The power door opener as defined in  claim 1  wherein the fixed push plate is a cylindrical member that surrounds the actuator shaft and is affixed to the housing. 
     
     
         6 . The power door opener as defined in  claim 5  wherein the fixed push plate is welded to the housing. 
     
     
         7 . A double ended power door opener comprising a power actuator having a front side and a rear side, a actuator shaft extendable from the front side of the power actuator, the actuator shaft being movable between a closed position and an extended position wherein the actuator shaft is extended outwardly and an electric motor adapted to move the actuator shaft between its closed and extended positions, a movable push plate affixed to the actuator shaft, an extension extending outwardly from the rear side of the actuator, the extension having a distal end wherein the distal end of the extension and movable push plate are moved apart by the outwardly extending movement of the actuator shaft. 
     
     
         8 . The double ended power door opener as defined in  claim 7  wherein the extension is removable affixed to the rear side of the power actuator. 
     
     
         9 . The double ended power door opener as defined in  claim 7  wherein the extension is selected from a plurality of extensions, each having a different length. 
     
     
         10 . The double ended power door opener as defined in  claim 7  wherein the electric motor is controlled by a remote controller. 
     
     
         11 . The double ended power door opener as defined in  claim 7  wherein the extension has a distal end having a push plate located at the distal end. 
     
     
         12 . The double ended power door opener as defined in  claim 7  wherein the movable push plate includes a pry member extending outwardly therefrom. 
     
     
         13 . The double ended power door opener as defined in  claim 12  wherein the movable push plate is removably affixed to the actuator shaft. 
     
     
         14 . A method of forcing open a door by separating a door from a door jamb comprising the steps of:
 providing a power actuator having a actuator shaft movable between a closed position and an extended position wherein the actuator shaft is extended outwardly and an electric motor adapted to move the actuator shaft between its closed and extended positions, a fixed push plate immovably affixed to the actuator, the fixed push plate having a fixed tapered pry member extending outwardly therefrom, and a movable push plate affixed to the actuator shaft, the movable push plate having a movable tapered pry member extending outwardly therefrom,   aligning the fixed tapered pry member and the movable tapered pry member to form a common edge;   inserting the common edge of the fixed and tapered push plates into an opening between a door and a door jamb; and   moving the actuator shaft to its extended position to move the movable push plate away from the fixed push plate, thereby widening the opening between the door and the door jamb to release the door from the door jamb.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14  wherein the step of activating the actuator shaft comprises applying electrical power to the electric motor. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14  wherein the fixed pry member or the movable pry member is bifurcated, having two prongs, and the step of aligning the fixed tapered pry member and the movable tapered pry member comprises locating the movable or fixed pry member within with the opening between the bifurcated prongs. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the step of aligning the fixed tapered pry member and the movable tapered pry member comprises locating the fixed pry member within the opening in the movable pry member. 
     
     
         18 . A method of forcing open a door by separating opposite vertical door jambs comprising the steps of:
 providing a double ended power door opener comprising a power actuator having a front side and a rear side, an actuator shaft located at the front side being movable between a closed position and an extended position wherein the actuator shaft is extended outwardly and an electric motor adapted to move the actuator shaft between its closed and extended positions, a movable push plate affixed to the actuator shaft, an extension extending outwardly from the rear side of the actuator, the extension having a distal end,   positioning the double ended power door opening between opposite door jambs with the extension contacting one door jamb and the movable push plate contacting the other door jamb, and   moving the actuator shaft to its extended position to move the movable push plate away from the fixed push plate, thereby widening the opening between the door and the door jamb to release the door from the door jamb.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18  wherein the step of providing a double ended power door opener comprises providing at least two extensions and further including the steps of selecting one extension from the at least two extensions and attaching the selected extension to the rear side of the power actuator. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 17  wherein the step of moving the actuator shaft comprises using a remote controller to activate the electric motor.