US1538103A - Automatic door or gate - Google Patents

Description

AUTOMATIC DOOR OR GATE Filed April 20. 1923 4 Sheets-Sheet l 23 sig. 1.

ATTORNEY May 19, 1925. 1,538,103v

M. FANDERS AUTOMATIC DOOR OR GATE Filed April 20, 1923 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 MAFaTEN F'ANDERS INVENTOR.

A TTURNEY May 19, 1925.

M.I FVANDERS AUTOMATICl DOOR OR GATE Filed April 20. 1923 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Fig. la.

wllllllllll ARTEN HANDERS INVENTOR.

ff BY Cvvp ATTORNEY May 19, 1925.

M. FANDERS AUTOMATIC DOOR 0R GATE Filed April 20. 1923 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 dl n AWM 6 MAR-ram FANDEES INVENTOR.

BY QCM ATTORNEY Patented May 19, 1925.

vUNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

MARTEN FANDERS, O F DILLER, NEBRASKA.

AUTOMATIC DOOR OR GATE.

Application filed April 20,

To all yzc/zom it may concer/n,.-

le it known that I, MARTEN FANDERS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Diller, in the county of J etierson and State of Nebraska, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Automatic Doors or Gates, of which the following is a speciiication.

My invention relates to automatic doors or gates, and it is designed for the purpose ot' entirely eliminating the necessity of getting out of the automobile for either opening or closing the garage door.

In stormy weather particularly it becomes highly desirable that the driver be able to enter the garage without wading through the mud to unlatch and to open the door. 1t is equally desirable when driving out ofl the garage in stormy weather .that the door be automatically closed and latched in closed position, Frequently it becomes necessary that a definite period of timeelapse between the opening and the closing of the garage door, as when changing clothes in the garage or when carrying packages from the garage to the house after a trip to the store.

I am aware that numerous attempts have been made to design a device which would satisfactorily solve the numerous problems entering into a structure of this sort. `Many of the prior devices depend onthe use of pivoted tracks which are intended to set in motion the operating mechanism of the door opener, but it is obvious that in very cold weather the accumulation of ice and frozen mud under the tracks will effectively prevent the operation of such devices atthe very time when they are most needed.

In my device, provision is made for first unlatching the garage door and then swinging the door through a definite limited arc, both actions resulting from the direct pressure of the moving automobile on the door. The automatic action which follows opens the door to its full opening and latches it in its open position, and later after a deli` nite. predetermined period of time it closes the door and latches it in its closed position.

Referring now ,to the drawings forming part of my application, and in which like numerals refer to like parts in the ldescription,

Figure l is a perspective view of the upper portion of the garage door and of all the door operating mechanism, as viewed from below and slightly to oneisid'e thereof.

1923. Serial No. 633,491.

Figure 2 is a top plan view of a double door and of parts of the operating mechamsm.

Figure 3 is a top .plan view showing the pivotal movement ofthe sinuous rod resulting from the movement of the actuating ro Figure 4 is al diagram showing the movement of the roller during the door closing movements.

Figure 5 is a view in detail of the catch for holding the door in open position. r Figures 6 and 7 are views in detail of the outer end of the actuating arm, and showing thelswivelled connection of the roller therewit i.

Figure 8 is a fragmentary view of the mechanism for resetting the timer.

Figures 9 and 10 are plan and edge views respectively of the springV hinge which I prefer to use as a part of my door opening mechanism.

Figures 11 and 12 are side'elevation and plan view respectively of my timer.

t Figure 1-3 is a side elevation of a portion of the timer, and showing particularly the relation of the timer actuating rod with the timer. l

Figure 14 is a view of a portion of the timer with part broken away to show the interior mechanism for setting the timer for any desired predetermined time.

Figure 15 is a perspective view of a portion of the latch operating mechanism.

Figures 16 and 17 are edge' views of the garage door, and showing the latch operating mechanism in its two positions.

Figure 18 is a fragmentary view of the connection whereby the top and bottom latches are actuated simultaneously.

Figure 19 is an edge view of the bottom part of the door. and showing the device for holding the bail shaped hanger out of the way of the automobile when the doors are open.

Figure 20 is a front view of the bottom portion of one of the doors, and showing a modification for use in connection with automobiles which are equipped4 with front bumpers.

My invention contemplates the use of two springs or sets of springs, theone for opening the door and the other for closing it, the two beingmore or less in equilibrium. Mechanism is also provided for disturbing the equilibrium through the pressure of the automobile against the door, whereby the door will be further opened through the action of one of the springs or sets ot springs. The door is then held latched in -its open position until releasedcby the timing device which alsoreleases the door closing spring.

My invention may be applied to either a single or a double door. I have shown it as applied to a double door, but Yit will be readily apparent that the main structural Ieatures will function in identically the same manner with a single door as withaV double door.

In the drawings numerals 10 and 11 refer to the two parts of a double door, the part 10 being thatl portion which is operatedI directly bythe springs. The doors are hinged to the door casing-,in the usual manner by means of hinges, and preferably of the type of hinge shown in Figures 9 and 10, wherein a coil spring is under tension when the doors are in their closed position. A tension spring 12 is secured at one of its ends to the -door y1() and at its other end to the door casing or other convenient part of the garage. 'lhe spring 12 is on the outside of the door and exerts its tension to close the door when vopen and to hold it closed.

Inside the garage and adjacent the hinged edge of the door 10 'I secure an L-shaped beam 13, preferably constructed by bending a suitable length of channel .ironwith' the,

channel side of the channel iron on the inside of the angle. Each arm of the L-shaped lbeam 13 is provided with a vertical aperture passing through both walls of the channel iron, and through each of these apertures I pass a bushing (not shown) to serve as a pivot bearing.V TheV vertical portion of a right-angled rod 14 passes through the bushing of one of the apertures with the horizontal portion ofthe rod underneath. the beam 13. rI lhe rod 15 is secured to thevrod 14 at the angle and in alignment with the horizontal portion, thus becoming in ei'ect a continuation of the horizontal portion of the rod 14. The free end of the rod 1,4 is provided with a roller 16, preferably with roller bearings or other friction reducing devices. The roller 16 is adapted to travel in the track 17 which is secured in horizontal Aposition to the upper portion ot the'door 10.

The door opening spring 19 vis secured at one of its ends to the door 10 adjacent the edge of theidoor opposite itshinge. The opposite end of the tension spring 19 is cure-d to the free end of the sinuous rod 18. y It is evident 'that if the door 1() is partially opened in any manner, the roller 1G will travel in its track 17 causing the aetuating rod 15 to swing on its pivot. The free end of the actuating rod thus swings into contact with the sinuous rod 18, the main portion of which lies in the plane of Inovement'of the actuating rod 15. In orderjto `reduce friction between the sinuous rod 18 and the free end of the actuating rod, and to properly hold the two rods in contact with each other during their relative movements, I have provided a swivelled collar 20 for the free end of the actuating rod 15. The rocking movement of the collar 20 on the rod 15 is limited to one quadrant. The collar 20 has a projecting l guard 21 spaced therefrom,`and between the colj lar 20 and guard .21 is journalled a wheel 22. The wheel 22 has a concave periphery whereby the Wheel is adapted to seat against the rod without. danger of lateral displacement during the movements. The partial openingof the door thus causes thecwh-eel 22 to bear against the sinuous rod 18 and to swing that rod on its pivot, for purposes to be explained later in the description.

Secured tothe upper projecting end ot the sinuous rod 18 and mounted toswing with the sinuous lrod is a bent rod having two arms 23 and 24. The arm 23 has a hook shaped lextremity which isadapted to cooperate with the catch 25 secured to the door 10. The catch 25 is mounted on a vertical pivot andis .provided with a compression spring 26 :forpermitting the engagement of the 4catch 25l with the hooked end.v of the arm 23 when the door is inritslopen position. A' spring 27 connects the free end of thev arm 24 to the front wall of the garage. The spring 27 is always under tension in all of its positions, but the tension is manifestly greatest when the door is closed, as in the position shown in Figure 2. The tension ot Y the spring 27 is thus mainly'exerted toward swinging vthe arm 24 into alignment with itself. The swinging of the arm 24 is however accompanied by the swinging ot' the sinuous rod 18. The spring 27 thusl assists in opening thev door 10.

The mechanism Jfor releasing the holding devices and permitting the door to close after a definite predetermined period et' time is shown at thc right in Figure 1 and in detail in Figures 11, 12. 13, and 14. A strap 28 is securely bolted to the door casing. The strap is bent. to provide an upper horizontallyextending arm with its side in a vertical plane. A rod 29 is also secured te the door casing. The rod 29 has a lower horizontal llt) portionand an outer vertical portion, the

upper extremit of the vertical portion passing through a oop in the outer extremity ot' the strap 28. The free extremity of the Sinuu s rod '18, rides in' its movements over the upper edge ofthe horizontal portion of the .strap 28. The projecting extremity 30.012"

the rod `29 serves as a seat and as a stop forl the outward vmovement of the free extremity of the sinuous rod. A lever 31 is pivoted to rock 'on thev strap 28. The rocking movement is l' 32 atthe inner end of the lever.

arm 33 is connected through a tension spring however limited-byapin and slot connection A rigid withthe Strap 28 in sucha way that the lever 31 will extend into the path of the sinuous vrod to permit that rod to pass over the lever vin the opening movement of the door but carrying two'r receptacles 37 and 38. 'It

should here vbe noted that the pivotal point 39 lis not ,mid-way' between the two receptacles but lis placed off centerto afford greater' leverage to the receptacle 38 than to the refceptacle37. The interiors'of the two receptacles are connected by an upper or air conduit 40 and alower or liquid conduit 41. As

vthe frame is tilted in one direction or the other, the liquid will obviously flow from the higher to the lower of the two-receptacles.

In order to control 'therate of flow of the liquid'I provide an adjustable needle valve 42 in the'receptacle 37 for the liquid conduit 41.A My preferred construction is shown in Figure 14. where the needle valve 42 is secured to the endet' a Ushaped leaf's'pring,r 43, which is made adjustable by means of-a v thumb nut 44. The 4frame 36 'is also provided with two pins 45 and 46, which may if -desircd be surrounded by rollers' to reducefriction. The pin 45 cooperates with the curved leaf .spring 47 to yieldably hold the -frame 36 in certain positions, and the pm 46 f. cooperates with the lowerhooked endv of the i 'the rod 50, as shown in Figure 13. Refere0 lrod 48 tor'trip the lever 31'. /rBoth of these relations ,will be. more fully describedin connection with the operation of the entire mechanism. TheI receptacle 37 is provided with a laterally projecting button 49 which is adapted to retain the looped lower end of ring now to Figures -1 and 8, it will be seen .that the upper end of the rod 5() is lpivoted "to a hell crank lever 51 which in turn is pivoted to a support on the beam 13. The ex- '.'tremity of the'other arm of the bell lever 51 is `-ccnnected through a-link 52 with a laterally projecting arm 53 on thewertical porv tion of the rig 1t angled rod 14. During this lifting movement the button 41) will rest in the bottom ofl the loop, 'but a further elevation of the receptacle 37 can take place within the limits permitted by the length of the loop and independently of the movement of the link 52. f

The mechanism thus far described is that which causes the door 10 to open and close. It is desirable however that the doors 10 and 11 be actuated simultaneously'or substantially so, and for this purpose I.have added the following features to thel mechanism already described. A `crank arm 54 is secured to the upper projecting end of the right angled rod 14 and in such a way that the movements of the rod 14 are imparted to the crank arm 54. One end of a link 55 is pivotally connected-to thefree end of the crank arm 54, the opposite end ot the link 55 being pivoted to the door 11 as shown in Figure 2. The connection 57 is heavily braced towithstand the strains to which it is subjected durinf' the opening andthe closing of the door.

cMy garage doors are provided with latches` and with means for automatically latching andunlatching the doors. These devices are shown in plan and in their relation to the double 'doors 1n Figure 2, and the details of the devices are shown m Figures 15 to 20 1nclusive. Each door is 'provided' with top and bottom latches 58 and 59 respectively. A suitable bail shaped hanger 60 is pivote'd at a suitable height inside the door with only the horizontal portion and one otthe armson the outside. The actuating arm 60a of t-he hanger 60 is entirely on the inside of the door. 4 A roller 6l surrounds the horizontal portion /of'the Ahanger 60. Thel pressure ot the automobile wheel. as shown in Figure 17, will cause the hanger to 'rock on its pivots. In' order to prevent injury to the door and to lthe hanger, I secure a buffer 62 of any suitable material to the door in the path of the swinging hanger. A

The arm 60 of the' hanger terminates above its pivot in a flattened 'projection 60",

which projectionis providedA with a series 1 of apertures.

A chain or cableI 63 is con-- nected at one of its ends to the-bottom latch 59 and at its other -eud to the projection 60" through one of the apertures. The top latch rl'58 has secured thereto a similar chain 64, the bottom end ofwhich is secured to the end ofv a pivoted lever 65, as shown in Figure 18. A rod 66 connects the outer end of the lever 65 with the end ofthe projection, 60"'. It is obvious that when the roller 61 is pressed inwardly the chains 63 andV 64 will both be `subjected to tension to thereby unlatch the latches. Itis obvious howevertha't theunlatching mechanism will function in identically the same manner withfeither a top or bottom latch alone as with the combination of,` the two latches, and I reserve to myself the right to omit either the top or the bottom' latchV from my combination.

I also add various incidental features of considerable importance tothe latching and unlatching mechanism. The hook 67 is sus-v pended from the door, and when it is desijred to lock the latches it is only necesl' looped end of the lever pushes the hanger 60 with its roller .61 against lthe door and out of the way of automobiles moving through the door. The .weight of the roller 61 is. suchthatin some cases it is liable -to destroy the equilibrium of the hanger 60 and to accidentally unlatch the door.. To avoid this difliculty I have added a spring 70 of just sufficient tension and so positioned as to counterbalance the weightI of the roller.` Still another of these incidental features is shown in Figure-20. Automobiles equipped with front bumpers will not properly engage the roller 61, and in such` instances Iv have found it necessary to sub- .stitute a plate 61 for the roller 61.

In the operation of my automatic door operating mechanism, the automobile is caused to slowly approach the closed' door.

The pressure ofthe automobile against the hanger swings the hanger on its pivots and releases the latches 58 and .59, whereupon the door will begin to open under the y(.o'ntinued pressure of the automobile. The initial opening movement ofthe door, through an'arc of about forty-tive degrees, isl thus brought about directly by the pressure of the automobile against the door.

`During this initial movement of the door, certain importantmovements ltake place in the operating mechanism. At rst the spring hinges exertV their tension in a direction tending to open the door, but-the tension` of the hinge springs is opposed by X'the greater tension of the spring 12. The movementof the door under the forward pressure of the automobilecauss the roller 16.

to 'travelin the track 17. The travel of the" roller' 16v results` in,` an arcuate movey ment`of they rod-` 14 about its pivot, and

also of the rod 15 which is connected to the roda 14. The arcuate' mqvement of the rod 15galmost immediately brings] theend of the rod with its roller 22 into Contact with lthe, .-sinuous rod 18. The pressure of 'and the latch 31.

the roller 22 against the' rod 18 results in an arcuate movement ofthat rod aboutA its pivot, the free end of the rod 18 traveling on the track 28 and carryingwith it the outer end of the door opening spring 19', whereby the spring 19 becomes stretched. Referring now to Figure 3, the roller 22 will make its first contact with the rod 18 somewhere on the rst curve which is designated a in that ligure( The `movement of the roller 22 .will be toward lthe right as viewed in Figure 3, and the arcuate movement of the rod 18 will be very rapid as the roller 22 moves from point a to point b. When the roller has reached fpoint'b, the f ee endl of the rod 18 has reached its eX- treme position, as shownv in dotted lines,` and is latched between the abutment 30 At this point thev door opening spring has reached its maximum tension, while the tension of the dor closing spring 12 has been increased butvery slightly. At this point the door opening spring 19, `while at its maximum tension, is not suiciently oil center to overcome the tension of -,the sprin 12. Slightl further movement of the roller 22 beyond the'point b suddenly changes the angles o both springs with respect to each other and to the door, throwing the door closing spring intoa position nearer dead center than before, and at the same time throwing thedoor openingspring into a position wherev its full tension immediately becomes-effective. Simultaneously with this action, the

. roller 22 rides .out of contact with the rod 18. This is because the roller is forced to txavel in a horizontal plane while the rod curves downwardly at or near the point as shown in Figure 4. The difference 1n efectlve tension between the two springs during the initial door opening movement thatthe initial action of the'automobileis positive on both doors 10 and 11,'. but by the time that the action rof the spring f19 has been brought into play, the anglejbetween the door 11 and the llink 5`5 has/been so increased' that the thrust offtlre linkE o n the door is positive and etfectivefso' that the pressure ofthe link will readily open 'the` door the remaining' distance without strain on the dooror linkage.

Theaction of` the door fini its opening ymovements` is accompanied illy-certain movement-s 1n the tuning mechanism. lI `,igi1res1 and 11 show the timing,'mechanism "1n ,itsf

position-1 when the door is. in'i'ts closed l'posiconvenience.

passed from the receptacle-37 to receptacle 38/ tion. The arcuate movement of the rod and pivot 14 results ina lowering of the pivotal point of the bell crank 51 and the link 52. By referring to Figure 8, it will be seen that this movement results in the lifting of the rod or link and of the receptacle37 which is secured to the lower end of the link 50. This lifting simply places the two receptacles more or less on a level with 'each other, Wit-h the button 49 resting in the bottom of the loop in the lower end of the link 50. In other words, the linkage does not lift the receptacle 37 to its full height, but the loop permits other forces to act to vlift that receptacle to its full height.

lVhile I may use any liquid in my timer, I prefer to use a liquid having a low freezing point, considerable weight, andflow viscosity. The oils usedv in the crank case of the automobile are well suited for this purpose, but I do not desire to be restricted to Atheir use. Just before the lifting of the receptacle 37s as above described, all of the liquid is in receptacle 37, but when the two are shifted to a substantial level, the liquid begins to flow through the conduit 41 into the receptacle 38. It is assumed that the needle valve has been previously adjusted to control the rate of flow of the liquid to the owners When sutlicient liquid has to throw the preponderance of weight on the side of the receptacle 38, there is a tendency for the receptacle 38 to fall within the limits of the loopy in the link 50. The leaf spring 47 however acts as a brake, and thisbraking action combined' with the eccentrically positioned pivot 39 causes the receptacle 38 l to fall suddenly instead of slowly. In the falling, the pin 4G is caught in the hooked end of the link 48,the sudden tenslon on the link 48 causing'the unlatching of the latcli 31, This .releases the end of the sinuous rod 18 which is immediately carried back to its original position by the spring 19. The pivotal movement of the rod 18 moves the hook 23 out of engagement with .the latch elementL 25, so that the door is no longer held latched in open position. After the above described movements which result in the 'relaxing of the spring 19, the greater tension is in the spring l2, which immediately closes the door 10. The door 11 is closed at the same time through the action of the link 55, and the latches 58 and 59 of both doors enter their sockets to hold the doors closed against accidental opening. In opening the doors for the purpose of driving the automobile out of the garage, the initial opening movement isl done manually but the subsequent automatic movements are identical with those above described. In driving the automobile out of the garage, the timer gives the driver ample time to leave the garage before the doors close, and the mechanism insures the closing and latching of the doors Without personal attention on the part of the driver or someone elsef My invention will be found useful in any place Where automobiles are stored. In public garages and repair shops, the driver enters Without calling on one of the mechanics to open the door and Without stopping the car in order to open the door himself. The farmer whose garage is equipped with my door opener can drive into the garage in all kinds of Weather, and he can have his timer set to give him ample time to remove all of the parcels from the garage before the door closes automatically, and when he drives the automobile out of the garage he has the assurance that the door will close and latch itself to keep out the wind, rain, and live stock. My automatic door operator will be equally useful in the private'city garage. This is especially true of the garage which is built into the dwelling. The driver is not put to the necessity of getting out of the automobile except under shelter. The usefulness of the automatic opener .is not limited however to garage doors. It is obvious that the advantages of my invention when used With a garage door would also be present in a farm or other gate equipped with my attachment.

I have described my invention in very explicit terms and in great detail, but I do not Wish to be restricted in all respects to the exact details which I have described, but I reserve to myself all of my rights to any or all equivalents of the structures which I have shown and described.

Having thus described my invention in terms which will be readily understood by others skilled in the art to which it pertains, what I believe to benew and desire to secure by Letters/Patent of the United Statesiis:

l. In combination with a swinging garage door having a -latch for holding the door latched in closed position, a spring secured to the outside of the door and to the garage and'normally exerting its tension in a door closing direction, a second spring secured tofthe door and to means for tensioning fit to open the door, and means whereby the pressure of the automobile on theoutside of the door first unlatches said latch and then actuates said tensioning means Vto cause said second spring to open the door.

2. In combinationwitli a swinging garage door, a spring secured to the outside of the door and to the garage and'normally exerting Aits tension in a door closing direction, a second spring secured to said door and to means for tensioning it tovopen the door.

means whereby pressure on the outside of the door will actuate 'said tensioning means to causo said second spring to open the door, and means for releasing the tension of said second spring at the end of a definite predetermined period of time whereby said first spring Will exert its full tension toclose the door.

3. In combination with a swinging garage door, a lever pivoted at one of its ends to a portion of the garage on the inside thereof, a tension spring secured to the inner side of the door and to the free end of. said lever, a second lever pivoted intermediate its ends to a portion of the garage on the inside thereof, said second named lever having its j ends bearing respectively said first named' lever andthe door,'the arrangement being'v such that the partial opening of the door causes a pivotal movement of said second named lever which in turn causes the outward swinging of the free end of said first named leverv to tension said spring and to thus complete the opening movement of the door.

4. In combination with a swinging garage door a frame secured to the inner side of the garage and adjacent the hinged edge of the door, a lever pivoted to said frame and movable in a horizontal plane, a tension spring secured to the inner side of the door and to the end of said lever, a second lever pivoted to said frame and so positioned as to be actuated by the initial opening movement of the door and to transmit the movement to said first lever to tension said spring and to thus complete the opening movement'of the door, and a latch mechanism associated With the door and with said first lever for holding the door latched in its open position.

5. In combination with a double garage door of the swinging type, a door opening spring inside the garage and having one of its ends secured to one of the door members andl its other end secured to the garage, a lever for tensioning said spring, said lever being actuated by the initial opening movement of the door, means associated with said lever for causing the other member of the pair of door members to open in unison with the first member, a pivoted hook connected to and movable by said lever, a tension spring secured to the garage and to said pivoted hook, said last named spring being positioned to cooperate with the'first named spring in causing the opening movement of the door, and a latch on the door for engaging said pivoted hook to hold the door latched in its open position.

6. In combination with a swinging garage door, a frame secured to the inner side of 'the garage and adjacent the hinged edge ot' the door, a lever pivoted to said frame and movable in a horizontal plane, a tension spring secured to the inner side of the door and to the end ,of said lever, anarm of shorter radius vproje'zting in `a parallel horizontal plane from said lever at itspivotal oint a tension s rin securedy to thel free end ot said arm and to a fixed portionvv o fthe Igarage, and means whereby the initial opening movement of the door will cause the adjacent the hinged edge of the door, a lever A pivoted to said frame andmovable in a horizontal plane, a tension spring secured at its and a secondlever pivoted intern'lediateVA its ends to 'said frame,l one end of'said secondends to the end of said pivoted vlever and `to the inner side -of the door respectively,

lever being adapted to bear against said 'first named lever whereby the pivotal movement.

of said second lever will be'transmitted'to said first named lever to ltension said spring,

the other end of said second lever :abutting against the inner side of the door, and means" 7 on the door for said second lever. 8. In combination with a swinging door guiding the movements o f 96 and door frame, a frame adjacent'. the door hinge and projecting in a horizontal plane and perpendicularly vfrom the door frame,'. a. lever pivoted at one of itsends to said-projecting frame, a tension ,spring connectingthe free end of said lever with the door, saidlever having a curved portion, a second lever pivoted intermediate its ends to said pro? jecting frame, said second lever havingv its -ends abutting against the door and against the curved portion of said first named lever respectively, means secured to the door for holding the end of said second lever in contact with the door but permitting sliding movement therebetweemandl means for holding the opposite endof vsaid second lever in sliding contact with said first named lever at lts curved portion, the arrangement being such 4that the initial opening movement of the door causes the pivotal movement of said second lever which in turn causes the pivotal movement of said first named lever through a greater arc to thereby subject said tension springto in.-

creased tension to permit it to complete the openlng movement of the door.

9. In combination witha swinging door ,i

and a door frame. a frame projecting from' i NJ LTI to said second lever and overhanging the `roller which is in contact with the side of said first named lever.

l0. In combination with a swinging door and a door frame, a frame projecting from the door frame and in a horizontal plane, a lever pivotally secured to said projecting frame, a tension spring secured at its ends to the door and to the end of said lever respectively, means whereby av partial opening of the door causes said lever to swing on its pivotand to thus tension the spring, a track for guiding the movement of the free end of said lever, and la latch on said track for holding said lever in its advanced position. t 11. In combination with a swinging door and a door frame, a frame projecting from the door frame and in a horizontal direction, a lever pivotally secured to said projecting frame to swing in a horizontal plane, a tensionl spring secured atits ends to the door and to the end of said lever respectively, means wherebya partial opening ofv the door 'auses said lever to swing on its pivot and to thus tension said spring, a track for guiding the movement of the free end of the. lever` a latch on said track for holding said lever in its advanced position, and a swinging latch operable by and secured to said lever, said last named latclrbcing adapted to engage the door when in its open position.

1Q. In combination with a swinging door, a door opening tension spring secured at one of its ends to the door, the opposite end of said spring being secured to a pivoted lever. means whereby the initial opening movement of the doorcauses the swinging of said lever andthe tensioning ot said spring, a track for guiding the movement of the free end of'said lever, a latch in said track for holding said lever in its advanced position, and automatic means for releasing said latch.

13. In combination. with-a swinging door, a pivoted lever adapted to swing in a horizontal plane, a door opening spring secured to the door and to said lever, means whereby the initial opening movement of the door causes the swinging of said lever an'd the tensioning of saidspring, a track for guid-` ing the movement of the free end ofvsaid lever. a latch in said track for holding said lever in its advanced position. a swinging latch secured to and actuated by said lever for holding the door when the door 1s 1n its open position. and automatic meansfoi." releasing said first latch whereby the ten-.A

sion of said spring will -return said lever to its inoperative positionv and whereby said lever in its return movement will release,

said swinging latch troni' engagement with the door.

v14. Iircoinbination with a swinging door,

a lever pivoted to @swing in a horizontal plane, a tension spring secured at its ends l to the door and to a swinging end of said `lever, means vwhereby the initial opening movement of the door causes the swinging of said lever' and the tensioning of said spring, a track for guiding the movement of the free end of said lever, a latch in said track for holding said lever in vits advanced position, and a trip for releasing said latch at the end of a definite predetermined period of time. y

15. In combinationwith a swinging door,

a lever pivoted to swing in a horizontal plane, a tension spring secured at its ends to the door and to a swinging end of said lever, means whereby the initial opening movement of the door causes the swinging of said lever and the tensioning of said spring, a latch for holding said lever in its advanced position, a weight adapted to release said latch adjustable time controlled means for releasing said weight, and'means for automatieally restoring said weight to its initial position after the latch has been released.

16. In combination with a swinging door, a lever pivoted to swing in a horizontal plane, a second lever pivoted to swing in the same plane as said first lever, said second lever being adapted to communicate theinitial opening movement of lthe door to said first lever, a spring secured to the door and to said first lever whereby theswinging of said first lever will tension the spring, a latch for holding said firstlever in its advanced position, a weight adapted to re` lease said latch, adjustable time controlled" means for releasing said weight, and means actuated by'said second lever 1n its return movementv for restoring said' weight to lts initial position at'ter the said latch has been' released.

17. In combination with alswinging door,

a lever, a tension spring secured to said lever .and to the door, a second lever adaptedtov be actuated by the initial opening movement of the door and to actuate the first said lever to tension said spring, a latch for holding the first ot said levers in its advanced position with the spring under maximum tension, means for releasing said latch to permit both of said levers to return to their initial positions, said-latch releasing means corn-l prising a weight for tripping said latch, and adjustable means for permitting the weight to drop at the end of a predetermined period of time, a crank arm on the pivot 'portion of said second lever, and a link connecting said crank arm to said weight to restore the weight to its initial position after saidlatch has been released.

i 11S. In vcombination with a swinging door,

two levers pivoted to swing in the same horil said levers having its opposite ends abutting against the door and against .'said. first lever whereby the initial opening movement of the door is transmitted through said second lever to swing' said first lever and to thus tension the spring, a latch for holding said first lever in its advanced position, a Weight for tripping said latch to permit both of said levers to return to their initial positions, adjustable time controlled mechanism for releasing' said Weight at the end of a predetermined period ottime, a brake for yieldably holding said Weight in suspended position until released by the time controlled mechanism, a crank arm o n the pivot portion of said second lever and actuated thereby, and a link connected with said weight and actuated by said crank arm to restore said Weight to its initial position after the latch has been tripped.

In testimony whereof Ivafiix my signature.

MARTEN FANDERS.

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