US1385389A - Door-controlling device - Google Patents

Description

L. C. NORTON.

000B CONTROLLING oEvicE.

APPLICATION FILED DEC.8. 1919.

1,385,389. PatentedJuly 26, 1921.

2 SHEETS-SHEET.

I l l l L. C. NORTON.

DUUR CONTROLLING DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED uma. 1919.

1,385,389, Patented July 26, 1921.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

UNITED STA'lW LEWIS C. NORTON, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS i?rENT OFFICE,

, ASSIGNOR TO NORTON DOOR CHECK COM- DOOR-CONTROLLING DEVICE.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, LEWIS C. NORTON a citizen of the United States, residing at Chi.- cago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented newand useful Improvements in Door- Controlling Devices, of which the following is a full, clear, concise, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawing, forming a part of this specification.

My invention relates to door controlling devices. More specifically it relates to door controlling devices in which means are provided for automatically closing the door when opened, for automatically holding the door open after it has been opened to a certain predetermined extent, and for automatically closing the door when it is held Open, in case of fire.

One of the objects of my invention is to provide such a construction which will be eliicient and reliable in operation.

A further object of my invention is to provide such a construction in which the means which are normally used for holding the door in Open position are used in case of fire to assist 1n` closin the door.

Further objects wi appear from the detailed description to follow and from the appended claims.

In the drawings in which an embodiment of my invention is shown- Figurel is a plan view showing a door controlling construction applied to a door;

Fig. 2 is an elevation of the parts shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a horizontal section through a spring housing;

Fig. 4 is a vertical section throughthe spring housing shown in Fig. 3; and

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 1, but showing the parts in the position they assume in case of fire.

I will outline briefly the main features of the construction shown, before giving a detailed description.

The construction shown comprises a mechanism for closing a door, including a spring actuated arm l0 mounted on the door 11, and

`a link 12 pivotally connected to the arm 1() at one end, and pivotally connected at the other end to the door frame 13, and afmechanism for holdingr the door in open position comprising a spring pressed arm 14, mount- Specification of Letters Patent.4

Application led December 8, 1919. Serial No. 343,337.

Patented July 2o, 1921.

ed on the door frame, a link `15 having a pivotal connection at 16 with the arm 14, and having a lost motion connection at 17 with the arm 12, and a fusible link 18 pivotally connected to the link 15 at 19, and pivotally connected to the link 12 at 20.

In the normal operation of the door, the fusible link 18 serves to connect the link 15 with the arm 12. When, however, the link 18 is fused, the link 15 which has the lost motion connection at 17 with the arm 12, serves to connect the arm 12 with the arm 14.

The spring tensions acting on the arms 10 and 14, are so adjusted, Yand the arms and links are so proportioned, that on opening the door, during the initial part of the opening, the arms 14 and 10 will both exert a door closing effect (that is, tending to resist opening of `the door) and such that after a certain point in the Opening of the door has been passed, the arm 14 will exert a door Opening effect, while the arm 10 still continues to exert a door closing effect. The door closing effect of the arm 10, however, is greater than the door opening effect of the arm 14, until just before the final extreme Open position of the door is reached, when the door Opening effect of the arm 14 becomes greater than the door closing effect of the arm 10 and the door is thus held in open position.

If now the door is held in open position and a fire occurs, and the link 18 is fused, the door is temporarily released from the door opening effect of the arm 14, and im mediately starts to close under the influence of the door closing arm 10. However, the arm 12 is not entirely free from connection with the arm 14 as ithas a lost motion connection with this arm at 17 through the link 15. Therefore, when this lost motiony is taken up, the arm 14 again comes into action, and exerts a force tending initially to resist closing of the door. However, the door has acquired considerable momentum by the time this lost motion is taken up, and the relative location of the links and levers is such that the door closing effect exerted by the arm 10 is sufficient to continue the closing movement of the door. Thereafter, in the closing movement of the door, a point is used at which the effect of the spring pressed arm 14 changes from a force tending to hold the door open to a force tending to hold the door closed, so that at the final closing movement of the door, both of the spring pressed arms and 14 are exerting a force tending to close the door. This double effectis very desirable in ease of fire,

as there may be a strong draft in case of fire as seen in Figs.V 1 and 5. The action of the yrious links and levers. Y "the construction and operation when vthe spring pressedv arm may be further controlled by a .dashpot construction inclosed in the casing 23 in any usual or suitable manner. -The armV 12 may, as is usual, be made in 'two telescopic sections, adjustably held by means of a set screw 24.

The arm 14is mounted on a shaft `or pin 25: (Figs' and 4) which pin 25 is subject tothe action of a coil torsion spring 26, so that the normal tendencyof the arm 14 is to rotate in a clockwise direction as seen in Figs. 1 and 5. The movement of the arm 14 .under the action of 4the spring 26 is limited by mea-ns of an adjustable stop 27 Ymounted for sliding adjustment on the link V.15, .this stop engaging the edge of the arm 14 asY shown in Fig. 1, to limit the movement vofthe arm 14.

The :lost motion connection 17 between the link 1-5 :and the arm 12 comprises a pin 28 mounted ony the arm 12, which pin engages ina slot 29 in the arm 15.

The fusible link 18V is made in two sep- :arable sections united at 30 by a fusible element which fuses under the influence of the heat, vand permits the parts to separate as indicatedV at Fig. 5. In order that the fusible link 1'8'may not be subjected to unduestrain a slight lost motion connection is'provided at 31 between the fusible link and the arm 12, so that the link 8O will not be subjected to the shock which would result if it had to receive the strain of suddenly stopping the door11 when they adjustable stopY 27 engages the arm 14. A This lostA motionY connection at k81* permits the door to' move alittle after the stop 27 is engaged with' the arm 14, so that the full strain doesnot come on the fusible link.

Y i I will now point out some, advantageous arrangements and constructions `of the va Considering first fusible link 18 is intactas shown in Fig. 1,

the `arrangement is such that when the door is closed, both of the spring'y pressed arms14 -and* 10, are `exerting a force tendingto Vkei-1p the door closed. This has an advantage inthat it gives a positive closing movement to the doei', preventing any uncertainty as to whether or not the door will be closed. The arm 14 exerts a comparatively powerful closing eflect when the door is closed, even when the fusible link 18 is intact, due to the positions of the arms 10 and 12 and the line of pull between the pivotal peints 16 and 20.

As the door is opened, there is a point at which the force exerted by the arm 14 changes fiom a force tending to close the door to a force tending to open the door. This critical point is the point at which the pivotal point 21 passes a line connecting the pivotal point 32 of the door 1l, and the pivotal point 33 of the connection between the arms 10 and 12. This door opening effect of the arm 14 continues to increase as the door opens farther due te the change in the angle between the arm 1() and the door 1l and also due to the change in the effective lever arm of the arm 14. This effective lever arm is the perpendicular distance. from the pivotal point of the arm 14 to a line connecting thc pivotal points 1G and 20.

I/Vlien the door is moved te its final open position as shown in. Fig. 1, this effective lever arm is verv short` as the line of pull between 1G and 2f) approaches close to the pivotal point 25 of the arm 14. T his results in a very powerful action of the arm 14, sufficient to hold the door in its final open position against the door closing effect of the arm 10.

' I will now point out certain advantageous features of the construction and operation. in ease the fusible link 18 is disconnected as shown in Fig. 5.

. The first effect of the fusing of this link is to permit the door 11 to start to close under the action of the spring pressed arm 10. This closing movement continues until pin 18 has moved along in the slot 20 to the outer end of thc slot. Thereafter, further closing movement of the door is influenced by the spring pressed arm 14. However, the line of pull between the spring pressed arm 14 and the arm 12 is different after the link 18 is fused from what it was before this link was fused. The line of pull is farther from the axis of the arm 14 so that the holding effect of the arm 14 is less, or to put it the other way about, the pullexerted by the arm 12 on the link 15 has a greater leverage on the arm 14 after the link 18 is fused than it had before. Furthermore, in addition to the more advantageous line of pull, the door 11 has gained considerable momentum by the time the pin 428 has reached the end of the slot 29, and this momentum together with the more advantageous line of pull, is

ample to continue the closing movement of the door.

At a certain point in the closing movement of the door, the effect of the spring pressed llt) arm 14 changes from the force tending to hold the door open, to a force tending to hold it closed. This critical point is the same as the point previously mentioned in the opening movement of the door, to wit, the point when the pivotal point 21 passes the line connecting the pivotal points 32 and 33. From this point on, in the `closing movement of the door, the arm 14 works with the arm 10 in closing the door. This `closing effect of the arm 14 increases rapidly,

on account of the change in the effective lever arm of the arm 14, and also on account of the change in the angle between the arm 10 and the door 11.

As shown in Fig. 5, when the door is closed, as indicated in dotted lines, the effective lever arm of the arm 14, which is the perpendicular line from the pivotal point 25 to the line connecting the pivotal points 16 and 28, is comparatively short, sothat the line of pull is very advantageous for exerting a powerful pull on the pin 28.

The springs for the arms 1() and 14 may each be provided with a ratchet adjustment for getting the desired tension in the springs. i

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is: i y

1. The combination of a door, a mechanism tending to close the door, a second mechanism which tends to hold the door open when the door is open and which tends to hold the door closed when the door is closed, and heat-controlled means whereby in case of fire, said second mechanism re leases the door to permit it to close under the action of said first mechanism, and whereby said second mechanism will assist said first mechanism in the final closing movement of the door.

2. The combination of a door, a mechanism tending to close the door, a second mechanism which tends to hold the door open when the door is open and which tends to hold the door closed when the door is closed, and means whereby in case of fire,

said second mechanism releases the door to permit it to close under the action of said first mechanism, `and whereby said second mechanism will assist said first mechanism said second mechanism releases the door to i permit it to close `under the action of said first mechanism, and whereby said second mechanism will assist said first mechanism in the final closing movement of the door, said second mechanism having a lost motion connection with `said first mechanism.

4. The combination of a door, a mechanism tending to close the door, a second mechanism which tends to hold the door open when the door is open and which tends to hold the door closed when the door is closed, and means whereby in` case of fire, said second mechanism releases the door to permit it to close under the action of said first mechanism, and whereby said second mechanism will assist said first mechanism in the iinal closing movement of the door, said second mechanism including a fusible link connecting it with said first mechanism.

5. The combination of a door, a mechanism tending to close the door, a second mechanism which tends to hold the door open when the door is open and which tends to hold the door closed when the door is closed, and means whereby in case of fire, said second mechanism releases the doorto permit it to close under the action oi said rst mechanism, and whereby said second mechanism will assist said first mechanism in the final closing movement of the door, said second mechanism including a fusible link connecting it with said first mechanism, and having also a lost motion connection with said first mechanism.

6. The combination of a door, a mechanism tending to close the door, a second mechanism which tends to hold the `door open when the door is open and which tends to hold the door closedwhen the d oor is closed, and means whereby in case of fire, said second mechanism releases the door to permit it to close under the action of said first mechanism, and whereby said. second .mechanism will assist said first mechanism in the linal closing movement of the door, said second mechanism comprising a pivoted arm, `and a fusible link connecting said arm with said first mechanism. i

7. The combination of a door, a mechanism tending to close the door, a Second mechanism which tends to hold the door open when the door is open and which tends to hold the door closed when the door is closed, and means whereby in case of fire, said second mechanism releases the door to permit it to close under the action of said first mechanism, and whereby said second mechanism will assist said iirst mechanism in the final closing movement of the door, said first mechanism comprising a pivoted arm, and a link pivoted to said arm and having a lost motion connection with said iirst mechanism.

8. The combination of a door, a mechanism tending to close the door, a second mechanism which tends to hold the door open when the door is open and which tends first mechanism,l andL whereby said second mechanism will assist said first mechanism inthe final closing-movement of the door,

saidsecond mechanism comprising va pivoted arm, a fusible link connecting said arm with said first mechanism, .and a second link having a pivotalconnection with said arm, .and having a lost motion connection with said ,first 1 mechanism.

9. The combination of a door, a mechanismv tending to closethe door, a; second mechanism which tends to hold the door open when the doorzis openand which tends to hold' the doorv closed when the door is closed, and means whereby in case of fire, said second mechanism releases the door to permit it to close under theraction of said first mechanism, and whereby said` second mechanism will assist said first mechanism in the finale-losing movement ofy the door, said 'secondi mechanism comprising a .fusible link having a lost motionconnection with said first mechanism.

10. The combination of 4a doorga mechanism tending to close thedoor, a second mechanism which tends tohold the door open when the door is open'and which tends to hold the door Vclosed when the door is closed, and` means whereby in case'of fire, said lsecond mechanism releases the door to permit it to close under the action of said first mechanism,- andf whereby said second mechanism will assist said first mechanism V inthe final closing move-menti of the door,

saidv second mechanism comprising a Vpivoted arm', and a fusible linkhaving a: connection with saidE arm and a pivotal connection with saldxfirstmechamsm, anda second link having a pivotall connection with said arm, and'alost motion connection with -saidpfirst mechanism, the pivotalpoint.y of

connectionl of said fusible link withsaidfi'rst mechanism being spaced from the-lost moytionconnection of said second ,linkwith said first mechanism', wherebylwhen said fusible link melts the line of connection.V between vsaid first mechanismand saidV second'mechanism will-be changed. Y Y

11. Thecombination of a door-f, a mechanism tending to close ther` door, a second V'mechanism' which tends to hold the door said first mechanism comprising anarm pivotallyfmounted on. the door and a second arm mounted to swing about a fixed axis, said second arm being pivotally connected withsaidfirst arm.

12. The combination ofl a door, a mechanism tending'to close the door and a second mechanism which tends to hold the door open when the door is open and which tends to hold the door closed when the door is closed, said second mechanism comprising a pivoted arm and a link pivoted thereto, and means whereby in case of fire, said second mechanism releases the door to permit it to close under the action of said first mechanism, said link having a lost motion connection with said first mechanism, whereby the effective lever arm of said pivoted arm becomes shortened to give a powerful final closing movement to thedoor.

13. The; combination of a door, a mechanism tending to-close the door and a second mechanism which tends to hold the door open'when the door is open and which tends to hold the door closed when the door is closed, said second mechanism comprising a pivoted arm, a link pivoted thereto, and means whereby in case of fire, saidsecond mechanism releases the door to permitit to close under' the action of said first mechanism, said linkhaving a lostniotion connection with said first mechanism whereby the effective lever arm of said pivoted arm becomes, shortened to give a powerful final closing movement to the door, and an adjustable stop on said link to govern the effective lever arm ofsaid pivoted arm.

14. The combination of a door, a mechanism tending to close the door, a second mechanism which tends to hold the door open when the door is open and which tends toV hold the door closed when the door is closed, said' second mechanism comprising a pivoted arm, a link pivoted thereto, and to said first mechanism whereby when said door is opened, the effective lever arm of said pivoted arm becomes shortened to give a powerful final opening movement of said door, and an adjustable stop on said link to govern the effective leverrv arm of said pivoted arm.

15. The combination of a door, a mechanismv tending to close the door, a second mechanism which tends to hold the door open when the door is open and which tends to hold the door closed when the door is closed, said second mechanism comprising a pivoted arm, a link pivoted thereto, and to said first mechanism whereby when the door is opened, the effective lever arm of said pivoted arm becomes shortened to give a powerful final opening movement of said door, and an adjustable stop to govern the effective lever'farm of said pivoted arm.

16. The combination of a door, a mechanish tending to close the door, a second mechanism which tends t0 hold the door lll) open when the door is open and which tends powerful final opening movement of said to hold the door closed when the door is door, and a stop to overn the effective lever closed, said second mechanism comprising a arm of said pivote arm. 10 pivoted arm, a link pivoted thereto, and to In witness whereof, I have hereunto sub- 5 said rst mechanism whereby when the door scribed my name.

is opened, the effective lever arm of said pivoted arm becomes shortened to give a. LEWIS C. NORTON.

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