US1903923A - Closure-holding and return spring - Google Patents

Description

l8, w J. HYDE CLOSURE HOLDING AND RETURN SPRING Filed July 7, 1932 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 IIIZYIIIIJQ" \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\RQ&\

April 18, 1933 w. J. HYDE 1,903,923

CLOSURE HOLDING AND RETURN SPRING Filed July 7, l9 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 v v "A Patented Apr. 18, 1933 FFECE WILLIAM JAMES HYDE, or LonnonnNGLAnD CLOSUBE-HOLDIN G AND RETURN SPRING Application filed July 7, 1932, Serial No. 621,249, and in Great Britain June 2, 1931.

This invention relates to improvements in door or like return springs and locking means therefor. I

The main object of the present invention is to provide an arrangement which will. enable a dooror the like tobe held at any desired degree of opening and yet to be capable of further opening and when released to be automatically returned to the predetermined degree of opening.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings'in which Figure 1 is a sectional plan view, Figure 2 aside elevation and Figure 3 an end elevation. Figure 4: is

a plan view of a modification, and Figure 5 a plan view of a further modification. Figures 6, 7 and 8 are views of a further modification, Figures 6 and 7 being sectional plan views showing the parts in different positions and Figure 8 an elevation.

Referring more particularly to Figures l3, 1, 2 are L-shaped pieces which are hinged together by a pin'3 and are provided in one of their limbs with apertures at for the recep tion of screws for securing the pieces to the door frame and door respectively. The other limb of L-shaped piece 1 is formed with a socket 5 in which is clamped by a screw 6 or in any other convenient way one end of a coil spring 7 the other limb of theother L-sha-ped piece 2 is bifurcated as indicated at 8 and is bored at 9 so as to allow the easy passage and guidance therethrough of the other end of the spring 7, the edges at the bores 9 being preferably bevelled or rounded to preventthe coils of the spring from being caught. As best shown in Figure 3, the axis of pin 3 and the longitudinal axis of the spring 7 are in cruciform relation.

Pivotally mounted at 10 within the jaws of the bifurcation 8 is a locking device in the form of a thumb piece 11 having a beak or projection 12 which is adapted when the locking device is swung into looking position 2}) to enter between any two adjacent coils of the spring 7. V i

Thus, when it is desired to holdthe door in any desired degree of opening, the door is moved to that desired degreeand then the as shown in chain dotted lines in Figure locking device 11, 12 is moved into locking position so that the spring 7 is secured at both ends and the door is held by the spring. If now the door be further opened the spring 7 is compressed and the door is returnedto the selected degree of opening. by the spring 7 when the door is released. Obviously the locking piece 11,12 can be moved into engagement with the spring 7 at a point such that the spring returns the door to its fully 0' closed position after it has been opened and released. If the locking piece 11, 12 be held out of locking position the door can be opened .or closed freely, the spring 7 sliding freely through the bores 9 in the bifurcation 8.

Moreover, the force exerted by the spring may be increased by compressing the spring before engaging it with the locking piece.

Preferably and as shown in Figure 1, the socket 5 is of annular formso as to leavea spigot 13 which is drilled to receive a shank portion '14 on the screw 6,the shank portion entering between the coils of the spring 7 In the modification illustrated in Figure 4 instead of hinging the two L-shaped pieces .75 together they are unconnected each piece 1 and 2 being adapted for securing to a door and door frame respectively, as by screws passed through openings 4. This form uses a spring 7 corresponding to said spring 7 It also employs guide means 8, locking means 11 and pin 10- corresponding to parts 8, 11 and 10 of the previously described A form.

It will be understood that the construction described with reference to Figures 13 would be employed in cases where it is considered desirableto supplement the hinge mounting of the door. Obviously also this hinged construction could be employed in place of the usual door hinges, the L-shaped pieces 1, 2 in such aconstruotion preferably being extended to give an increased hinge area.

The arrangement illustrated in Figure 5 is particularly suitable for use on doors and door frames of somewhat light construction and with'the exception of limbs 15, corresponds to Figures 1 to 3. In this form the L-shapedpieces are designated 1 and 2" and are pivoted together at 3",each being provided with one of said limbs 15 the whole v frame.

forming in elfect -shaped sections two adj acent limbs of the I being adapted to be secured as by screws to two faces of any convenient part of the door frame and to the face and hinged end of the door, such an arrangement distributing the lead over a greater area. In this form, the spring 7 guide means 8", pin 10 and locking member 11", correspond to the parts 7, 8, 10 and 11, respectively, previously described.

The locking piece or pieces 11, 12 is or are so arranged as, when swung out of locking position, to remain in this position. In order to allow the device to be used with either left or right hand doors, while still enabling the locking device to be located on top, the aperture for the pivot 10 is, as shown in Figure 3, duplicated so that either aperture can be employed to receive the pivot.

In a modification instead of clamping one end of the spring in the socket 5 in the L- shaped piece 1 the bifurcated construction and the locking piece is duplicated so that if it be desired to use the door as an ordinary unsprung door both locking pieces can be moved out of locking engagement with the spring whereupon this latter can be removed.

Referring now to the modification shown in Figures 68, there are provided as before two members 16, 17 adapted for attachment to the door and door frame 18, 19 respectively, the member 17 being provided with a limb 20 to afford additional purchase on the door In this modification, the locking piece 11, 12 is dispensed with and in its place there are provided two nuts21, 22 to serve as abutments for the members and which are internally threaded to conform to the helix of the spring 7 a (corresponding tospring 7) so that the nuts can be screwed along the spring which latter passes freely through an aperture 23 formed in the member 16. The spring is as before secured to the other member 17 but a modified arrangement is preferably employed, the modified arrangement preferably consisting in forming the member 17 with an aperture which is internally threaded to conform to the helix of the spring which can thus be screwed into the aperture: a plug 24 may be screwed into the end of the spring to reinforce it and if desired a lock nut 25 similar to the nuts 21, 22 may be'employed to lock the spring securely in the member 17.

In operation, it will be seen that with the parts in the position shown in Figure 6, if the door 18 be opened the spring will bedistorted or bent laterally only, untilthe nut 22' is engaged by the member 16. If the door now be released, it will be shut by the spring 7 and the. shutting force can be regulated by the nut 21 which can be screwed on the spring to check the movement of the door resiliently to any desired extent. In other words, if it be assumed that the normal length of the spring is that shown in Figure 6, and the door be slightly opened, then by screwing the nut 21 up to the member, it will be nut can be adjusted so as to cause the door to close without appreciable slam or noise.

It will be seen that during the movement of the door from the position shown in Figure 6 to that shown in Figure 7, no effective compression of the spring takes place, the distortion being one of bending only. If it is required to supplement shutting effect due to this bending of the spring, this is effected by screwing the nut 22 to be engaged by the member 16 at the desired point in the opening of the door. Opening movement of the door beyond this point will cause compression of the spring to take place due to the movement transmitted by the door to the nut 22. For example, when the door is opened from the position shown in Figure 6 to that shown in Figure 7 the member 16 moves along the spring, merely causing bending thereof: if now the door be further opened, then in addition to further bending of the spring there also occurs compression of the spring, This involves additional work to be done in opening the door and the nut 22 can be arranged so as to present little additional work during a normal opening of the door but to require considerable force beyond the normal opening: thus it follows that the nut 22 may be employed as a door stop.

If it be desired to hold the door partly or fully open (as for example in the position shown in Figure 7), this is effected by opening the door to the required extent and then screwing the nut 21 up to the member 16 (as for example to the position shown in dotted lines in Figure 7) the door will now remain held but still renders it possible to open the door further, the door when released returning to the position of opening deter mined by the nut.

Preferably, and as is shown in Figure 6, the aperture in the member 16 is displaced from the door further than is the aperture in the member 17. This causesthe spring to the spring can be wholly withdrawn where-Y upon the door will function as an If it be desired to employ the'device solely as a door closing device, it would not be necessary to secure both ends of the spring 7', a locking plate 11, 12 or nut 21, 22 for one'end of the spring acting merely as a device for effecting adJustment of the returning force exerted by the spring,

It will be seen that the L-shaped pieces 1, 2 are so dimensioned relatively to one another that when the spring 7 is removed, the door or the like can be swung through nearly 180 as indicated in chain dotted lines in Figure 1, i. e. there is no substantial interference between the two pieces; v

In the application of the invention to metal doors and the like, the two me'mbers'may if desired be formed as integral parts of the door and frame thereof instead of being adapted for attachment thereto.

It will be understood that the invention is not confined in its application for use with doors.

WVhat I claim is 1. In combination with a member and a member mounted to swing relatively thereto, spring means anchored to one member, guide means on the other member for the spring means, means coacting with the spring means operable to limit movement of the guide member to different positions alongthe spring means to accordingly limit movement of the second member in one direction, such spring means permitting movement of the second member in the opposite direction notwithstanding the'p'osition of the'third mentioned means. 7

2. A device of the class described comprising first and second members hinged together, spring means anchored to one member, guide means on the other member for the spring means, means coacting with the spring means operable to limit movement of the guide member to different positions along the spring means to accordingly limit movement of the second member in one direction, such spring means permitting movement of the second member in the opposite direction notwithstandingthe position of the third mentioned means.

3. The combination of a pair of members having relative opening and closing movement, a coil spring, means for securing one end of the spring to one of the members and means mounted on the other member for securing the said other member to the spring at different points in the length thereof.

4. The combination of a pair of relatively movable members, a coil spring, means for securing one end of the spring to one of the members and a locking member mounted on the other member and being movable between different turns of the spring to secure the thereof.

said other member to the springat different; 7

points in the length thereof. 7,

5. The combination of a pair of relatively movable members, a coil spring secured to one of the members, and a locking device piv- 1 otally mounted in a aw on the other member and movable between different turns of the spring to secure the said 'othermember to the spring at different points in the length 6. The combination of a pair of members having opening and closing relative movement,'a spring secured to one member and bearing against the other member so that the spring is bent when the members are moved in the direction of opening, and a pair of abutments mounted for adJustment on the spring and engageable respectively by the second member in opposite directions of movement thereof. 7

- 7 The combination of a pair of members having relative opening and closing move-.

ment, a coil spring secured at one end tov one'of the members, and bearing agalnst' the other member so that the spring is bent when the members aremoved in the directionof opening, and a nut which is screwed to engage vthe turns of the spring, the nut being adjustable on the spring and engageable by the second movable member when relative movement is caused by the spring.

8. The combiantion of a pair of members having relativejopening and closing movement, a coil spring secured at one end to one of the members and bearing against the other i members so that the spring is bent when the members are moved in the direction of opening, and a pair of nuts which are screwed to engage the turns of the spring so asto be adjustable thereon and are respectively en-' gageable bythe'second movable member in opposite directions of relative movement between the said members. =8; The combination of a pair of members having relative opening and closing movement, a coil spring secured to one of the members, and bearing against .the other memher so that the spring is bent when the members are moved in the "direction of opening, and an abutment on the spring for engagement by the other member when the said other member is rection of closing. 7

10; The combination of a coil spring, a pair of members having relative opening and closing movement, one member being formed with an aperture threaded to conform with theturns ofthe springwhich'la-tter is screwed at one end into said aperture and which bears-against the other member so that the spring is bent when the members are moved in the direction of opening, and means mount 'ed for adjustable engagement with the spring at different points lengthwise thereof, for preventing relative movement between the partially moved in the diselected point and the other member at least in one direction.

11. The combination of a coil spring, a pairof members having relative opening and closing movement, one member being formed with an aperture threaded to conform with the turns of'the spring which-latter is screwed at one end into said aperture and which bears against the other member so that the spring is bent when the members are moved in the direction of opening, and a nut which is screwed to engage the turns of the spring, the nut being adjustable on the spring and engageable by the second member after a partial closing movement.

12. The combination of a coil spring, a pair of members having relative opening and closing movement, one member being formed with an aperture threaded to conform with the turns of the spring which latter is screwed at one end into said aperture and which bears against the other memberso that the spring is bent when the members are moved in the direction of opening, and a pair of nuts which are screwed to engage the turns of the spring so as to be adjustable thereon and are respectively engageable by the second movable member in opposite directions of relative movement between the said members.

- 13. The combination of a coil spring, a'

pair of members having relative opening and closing movement, one member being formed with an aperturethre-aded to conform with the turns of the spring which latter is screwed at one end into said aperture and which bears against the other member so that the spring is bent when the members are moved in the direction of opening, and an abutment on the spring for engagement by the other member after a partial closing movement.

14. The combination of a pair of members having relative opening and closing movement, a spring, means for securing the spring to one of the members, the spring bearing against the other member so that the spring is bent when the members are moved in the direction of opening, and means mounted for adjustable engagement with the spring at different points lengthwise thereof, for preventing relative movement between the said point and the other member at leastfor part of the normal relative movement between the two members and at least in one direction.

15. The combination of a pair of members having relative opening and closing movement, a coil spring secured at one end to one of the members, and bearing against the other member so that the spring is bent when the members are moved in the direction of opening, a nut which is screwed to engage the turns of the spring, the nut being adjustable on the spring and engageable by the second movable member in the direction of closing movement, and a silencing pad on the nut.

16. The combination of a pair of members having relative opening-and closing move} ment, a coil spring secured at one end to one of the members and bearing against the other member so that the spring is bent when the members are moved in the direction of opening, a pair of nuts engaging the. turns of the spring so as to be adjustable thereon and re.- spectively engageable by the second movable member in opposite directions of relative movement between the said members, and silencing pads on the nuts. u

17. The combination of a pair of members having relative opening and. closing movement, a coil spring, means forsecuring the spring to one of the members, the spring bearing against the other member so that the spring is bent when the members are movedin the direction of opening, an abutment on the spring for engagement by the other member after the latter has partially closed,'and a silencing pad on the abutment.

18. In combination, a member adapted to be swung, a compressive spring anchored at .one end, the spring and the axis of movement of the said member being in cruciform rela-v tion, said member at one portion being capable of movement longitudinally of the spring toward said anchored end, and means to causev the spring to hold the member resiliently at different predetermined degrees of opening while enabling the member to be moved from the selected position against the action of the spring todistort the spring between the anchored end of the spring andthe zone of engagement bysaid means so that when released the springwill return the member to the selected position. V V In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my invention I have signed my name this- 27th day of June, 1932. WILLIAM JAMES HYDE.

Images