A door closer assembly is provided for a screen or storm door to automatically fully close the door without user interaction.
Storm doors and screen doors have a long-term problem of failure to completely close on their own. Complaints from users and manufacturers indicate that these storm and screen doors do not always automatically close and fully seal shut when relying solely on the closing strength of the standard pneumatic or hydraulic door closer. This problem arises, at least in part, due to the air pocket or space between the primary door and storm door which prevents the outer storm/screen door from fully closing shut. Past attempts to resolve this problem include an air release mechanism which functions as the door closes to release air from the space as the space narrows, though results are inconsistent with this air release system. Also, consumers are hesitant to pay for add-on parts which attempt to fix the problem.
Accordingly, a primary objective of the present invention is the provision of an improved door closer which assures that a storm or screen door will be fully shut and sealed automatically solely by the action of the improved door closer.
Another objective of the present invention is the provision of a door closer which mechanically urges a storm or screen door to a fully closed and sealed position.
Another objective of the present invention is the provision of a storm and screen door closer which is spring biased to a fully closed position.
Yet another objective of the present invention is the provision of a storm and screen door closer having cam action to facilitate complete closure of the door.
Still another objective of the present invention is a provision of a storm and screen door closer which utilizes a pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder in combination with a pivotal cam to facilitate full closure of the door.
Another objective of the present invention is the provision of an improved storm and screen door closer which assures complete closure of the door without user effort.
A further objective of the present invention is the provision of an improved storm and screen door closer which is economical to manufacture, and durable and safe in use.
These and other objectives will become apparent from the following description of the invention.
The storm and screen door closure of the present invention includes a bracket fixed on the door jamb and a pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder fixed to the storm or screen door. The bracket includes a cam switch which is slidably and pivotally mounted in the bracket. The hydraulic cylinder includes a rod having an outer end slidably received in a slot in the cam switch so as to be engaged in the cam switch when the door is closed and disengaged from the cam switch when the door is fully opened. The cam switch is spring biased so as to urge the cylinder rod to a retracted position and thereby fully close the door.
As the storm or screen door is opened, the outer end of the cylinder rod slides and pivots the cam switch until the rod is disengaged from the cam switch. As the door begins to close, the end of the rod re-engages with the cam switch. A spring connected to the cam switch pulls the cam switch so as to retract the rod and fully close the storm or screen door.
The door closer 10 of the present invention includes a bracket assembly 12 and a pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder 14 with an extensible and retractable rod 16 extending between the bracket assembly 12 and the cylinder 14. The cylinder 14 and rod 16 create a linear actuator for facilitating closure of the door.
The bracket assembly 12 includes a housing 18 with a pivotal and slidable cam switch 20. More particularly, a pair of track plates 22 are mounted on opposite sides of the housing 18 in any convenient manner. For example, as shown in
A second spring 40 is offset from the first spring 32. The spring 32 is connected to the bracket housing 18 and to the switch plate 20 by pins 42 extending through holes 44 in the bracket housing 18 and a hole 46 in the switch plate 20. As discussed in more detail below, when the screen or storm door is fully opened, the spring 42 retains the switch plate at the inner end of the slot head 29.
The bracket assembly 12 also includes a rod insert 50. The insert 50 has an open end to receive the outer end of the cylinder rod 16 which is retained in the insert 50 by a pin 52. The pin 52 also extends through bushings 54 mounted in holes 56 in the bracket housing 18, such that the rod insert 50 is pivotally mounted to the housing 18. The rod insert 50 also has a free end 58 which is slidably received in a recess or notch 60 in the cam switch 20. The insert 50 forms an extension on the end of the rod 16.
The bracket housing 18 includes opposite flanges 48 for mounting the housing 18 to a door frame or jamb 62. The cylinder 14 is pivotally mounted to the storm or screen door 64 in a conventional manner.
As the door 64 begins to open, as shown in
As the opening movement of the door 64 continues (
As the door 64 begins to close, as shown in
An alternative embodiment of the bracket door closer 12A is shown in
More particularly, the torsion spring 70 includes opposite ends 72, 74. The first end 72 is retained by a pin 76 extending through holes 78 in the bracket housing 18. A bushing 80 extends through the housing 18 and the center of the spring 70. The second end 74 of the spring 70 rests upon a lip or shelf 82 of the cam switch 20. As seen in
The function of the alternative embodiment closer 12A is the same as the primary embodiment closer 12.
The invention has been shown and described above with the preferred embodiments, and it is understood that many modifications, substitutions, and additions may be made which are within the intended spirit and scope of the invention. From the foregoing, it can be seen that the present invention accomplishes at least all of its stated objectives.
This application is a Continuation Application of U.S. Ser. No. 13/950,522 filed Jul. 25, 2013, herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
Parent | 13950522 | Jul 2013 | US |
Child | 14606322 | US |