Claims
- 1. Detent apparatus for holding a door in a selected open position relative to a door mounting frame, the door having a hinge axis for pivoting of the door thereabout, said detent apparatus comprising:
- a guide rail affixable to a member of the door mounting frame which is perpendicular to a plane passing through a hinge axis of a door, the guide rail having a longitudinal dimension for being disposed parallel to a longitudinal axis of the frame member;
- a guide element for being guided along said guide rail along a path of movement along the longitudinal dimension of said guide rail;
- said guide rail and said guide element each being configured for permitting substantially unobstructed movement of said guide element along a substantial portion of said guide rail;
- an arm having a first end and a second end, said first end of said arm comprising means for being pivotably connected to said guide element, and said second end of said arm comprising means for being pivotably connected to a door at a point spaced apart from a hinge axis of the door;
- a detent member for being disposed along said guide rail, said detent member being movable along said guide rail, and said detent member being selectively positionable at at least two separate positions disposed a substantial distance from one another along said guide rail;
- said detent member comprising means for retaining said detent member in a selected one of the at least two separate positions along said guide rail, said selected position of said detent member determining said selected open position of the door;
- said guide element and said detent member comprising, in combination, detent means, said detent means comprising first and second detent means portions:
- said first detent means portion comprising a catch portion disposed on one of said guide element and said detent member, and said second detent means portion comprising a corresponding projection on at least the other of said guide element and said detent member for being retained by said catch portion;
- said detent means comprising means for urging at least one of said catch portion and said corresponding projection into a detent relationship with one another;
- said detent member comprising means for disposing said detent means portion of said detent member in the path of said guide element for engaging said detent means portion of said guide element with said detent means portion of said detent member as said guide element moves along the guide rail; and
- said means for urging being substantially resilient for permitting engagement of said catch portion and said corresponding projection, and said means for urging having sufficient rigidity for maintaining engagement of said catch portion and said corresponding projection in the absence of external forces applied to the door.
- 2. The detent apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:
- said guide rail comprising a substantially C-shaped channel, said channel comprising:
- a base portion; and
- first and second leg portions extending from said base portion, said first and second leg portions defining a first distance therebetween;
- said guide element being configured for being disposed between said first and second leg portions of said channel, said guide element comprising:
- a base portion for being disposed in a spaced apart relationship to said base portion of said channel; and
- at least a third leg portion extending from said base portion, said at least a third leg portion of said guide element being configured for being disposed adjacent one of said first and second leg portions of said channel for guiding movement of said guide member within said channel;
- said detent member for being disposed within said channel between said first and second leg portions of said channel; and
- said at least a third leg portion of said guide element being configured to pass between said detent member and said adjacent one of said first and second leg portion of said channel during movement of said guide element along said path of travel for engagement of said first and second detent means portions with one another.
- 3. The detent apparatus according to claim 2, wherein:
- said at least a third leg portion of said guide element comprises a first surface for being disposed adjacent said adjacent one of said first and second leg portions of said channel, and a second surface disposed opposite said first surface; and
- said second surface of said at least a third leg portion of said guide element comprises said detent means portion of said guide element.
- 4. The detent apparatus according to claim 3, wherein:
- said guide element has a longitudinal dimension for being disposed along the longitudinal dimension of said channel;
- said second surface of said at least a third leg portion comprises:
- a first end and a second end, said first and second ends being disposed spaced apart along the longitudinal dimension of said guide element;
- a central portion disposed between said first and second ends;
- a first bevelled portion extending from said first end to substantially said central portion, said first bevelled portion having a lower portion adjacent said first end and a raised portion adjacent said central portion;
- a second bevelled portion extending from said second end to substantially said central portion, said second bevelled portion having a lower portion adjacent said second end and a raised portion adjacent said central portion; and
- said catch portion disposed at said central portion, said catch portion comprising a recessed portion between said raised portions of both of said first and second bevelled portions; and
- said detent member comprises said corresponding projection for engaging with said catch portion of said guide element as said at least a third leg portion of said guide element passes between said detent member and said adjacent one of said first and second leg portions.
- 5. The detent apparatus according to claim 4, wherein:
- said detent member comprises a base plate, said base plate having a width substantially equal to the first distance between said first and second leg portions of said channel, and said base plate having a thickness;
- each of said first and second leg portions of said channel comprise strip projections disposed along the longitudinal dimension of said channel, and projecting away from a corresponding one of each of said first and second leg portions towards the other of said first and second leg portions;
- said strip projections being disposed a second distance from said base portion of said channel;
- said second distance being substantially equal to the thickness of said base plate; and
- said base plate of said detent member being slidable along said longitudinal dimension of said channel between said base portion of said channel and said strip projections of said first and second leg portions to adjustably position said detent member within said channel.
- 6. The detent apparatus according to claim 5, wherein:
- said detent member comprises a portion extending from said base plate, said extending portion comprises a surface disposed towards said one of said first and second leg portions of said channel adjacent said third leg portion of said guide element;
- said surface of said detent member comprises one of:
- an arcuate surface and an angled surface; and said one of:
- said arcuate surface and said angled surface comprise said corresponding projection of said detent member for engaging with said catch of said second surface of said guide element.
- 7. The detent apparatus according to claim 6, wherein:
- said guide element comprises a substantially U-shaped guide element having a fourth leg portion disposed opposite to said third leg portion, said fourth leg portion of said guide element for being disposed adjacent the other of said first and second leg portions of said channel away from said third leg portion of said guide element;
- said fourth leg portion of said guide element comprises a third surface for being disposed adjacent said adjacent one of the other of said first and second leg portions of said channel, and a fourth surface disposed opposite said third surface; and
- said fourth surface of said second leg portion comprises:
- a third end and a fourth end, said third and fourth ends being disposed spaced apart along the longitudinal dimension of said guide element;
- a central portion disposed between said third and fourth ends;
- a third bevelled portion extending from said third end to substantially said central portion, said third bevelled portion having a lower portion adjacent said third end and a raised portion adjacent said central portion;
- a fourth bevelled portion extending from said fourth end to substantially said central portion, said fourth bevelled portion having a lower portion adjacent said fourth end and a raised portion adjacent said central portion; and
- said central portion of said fourth leg portion of said guide element comprises an additional catch portion disposed opposite to said catch portion of said third leg portion of said guide element, said additional catch portion comprising a recessed portion between said raised portions of both of said third and fourth bevelled portions; and
- said detent member further comprises a second projection corresponding to said additional catch portion of said fourth leg portion, said second projection being disposed opposite to said first projection, and said first and second projections being configured to simultaneously engage said catch portions of said guide element.
- 8. The detent apparatus according to claim 7, wherein:
- said first and second projections of said detent member comprise two legs extending from said base portion, each of said two legs comprising an isosceles triangle configuration, each of said isosceles triangle configurations comprising two substantially equal side portions joined together to define a tip, said two side portions and said tip defining one of said angled surfaces, said tip comprising said projection for engaging said catch portion; said tip forming a line, said line being oriented transverse to the longitudinal axis of said channel; and
- said urging means being disposed between said two leg portions for urging said leg portions away from one another and into contact with said catch portions of said guide element to engage the tip of said first and second leg portions with said catch portions of said guide element.
- 9. The detent apparatus according to claim 8, wherein:
- said urging means comprises an elastic cylindrical disc supporting said legs;
- said legs form a cylindrical hole portion for receiving said disc, said detent member has recesses, and said disc is supported against said recesses, said disc being configured for expanding into said cylindrical hole portion in said legs;
- said cylindrical disc has a central hole, in which hole there is an inelastic pin which fills up said hole;
- said two side portions of said isosceles triangle are disposed at an angle of about 30.degree. with respect to the longitudinal axis of said channel;
- said first, second, third and fourth bevelled portions of said guide element are disposed at an angle of about 10.degree. with respect to the longitudinal axis of said channel; and
- said means for retaining comprises:
- threaded orifices in said base plate of said detent member; and
- screws for being threaded into said orifices to wedge said base plate against said strip projections as said screws are threaded into said orifices and contact said base portion of said channel.
- 10. The detent apparatus according to claim 7, wherein:
- said guide element comprises said means for urging;
- said first, second, third and fourth bevelled portions of said third and fourth leg portions comprise at least a portion of said urging means;
- said bevelled portions comprise elastic legs; and
- said detent member comprises a rhomboid projection for being disposed in said catch portions when the door is fixed, said rhomboid projection comprising a rhomboid wall extending from said base plate.
- 11. The detent apparatus according to claim 7, wherein:
- said guide element comprises said means for urging;
- said first, second, third and fourth bevelled portions of said third and fourth leg portions comprise at least a portion of said urging means;
- said bevelled portions comprise elastic legs; and
- said detent member comprises a cylindrical projection extending from said base plate with a hard elastic circular disc disposed about said cylindrical projection, said disc comprising an edge portion thereof for being disposed in said catch portions when the door is fixed.
- 12. The detent apparatus according to claim 7, wherein:
- said guide element comprises said means for urging;
- said first, second, third and fourth bevelled portions of said third and fourth leg portions comprise at least a portion of said urging means;
- said bevelled portions comprise elastic legs; and
- said detent member comprises an angular leg for being disposed in said catch portions when the door is fixed; and
- said angular leg extending from said base plate of said detent member.
- 13. A door, said door comprising:
- a frame member;
- a door panel, the door panel having a hinge axis for pivoting of the door thereabout to open and close the door;
- door closer apparatus mounted to said door panel for moving the door from an open position to a closed position;
- a detent apparatus for holding the door in a selected open position relative to the frame member and against the closing force of the door closer apparatus, said detent apparatus comprising:
- a guide rail affixed to a portion of the door mounting frame which is perpendicular to a plane passing through the hinge axis of the door, the guide rail having a longitudinal dimension for being disposed parallel to a longitudinal axis of the frame portion;
- a guide element for being guided along said guide rail along a path of movement along the longitudinal dimension of said guide rail;
- said guide rail and said guide element each being configured for permitting substantially unobstructed movement of said guide element along a substantial portion of said guide rail;
- an arm having a first end and a second end, said first end of said arm comprising means for pivotably connecting said first end to said guide element, and said second end of said arm comprising means for pivotably connecting said second end to said door closer apparatus at a point spaced apart from the hinge axis of the door;
- a detent member for being disposed along said guide rail, said detent member being movable along said guide rail, and said detent member being selectively positionable at at least two separate positions disposed a substantial distance from one another along said guide rail;
- said detent member comprising means for retaining said detent member in a selected one of the at least two separate positions along said guide rail, said selected position of said detent member determining said selected open position of the door;
- said guide element and said detent member comprising, in combination, detent means, said detent means comprising first and second detent means portions:
- said first detent means portion comprising a catch portion disposed on one of said guide element and said detent member, and said second detent means portion comprising a corresponding projection on at least the other of said guide element and said detent member for being retained by said catch portion;
- said detent means comprising means for urging at least one of said catch portion and said corresponding projection into a detent relationship with one another;
- said detent member comprising means for disposing said detent means portion of said detent member in the path of said guide element for engaging said detent means portion of said guide element with said detent means portion of said detent member as said guide element moves along the guide rail; and
- said means for urging being substantially resilient for permitting engagement of said catch portion and said corresponding projection, and said means for urging having sufficient rigidity for maintaining engagement of said catch portion and said corresponding projection under the closing force of the door closer and in the absence of additional external forces applied to the door.
- 14. The door according to claim 13, further comprising:
- said guide rail comprising a substantially C-shaped channel, said channel comprising:
- a base portion; and
- first and second leg portions extending from said base portion, said first and second leg portions defining a first distance therebetween;
- said guide element being configured for being disposed between said first and second leg portions of said channel, said guide element comprising:
- a base portion for being disposed in a spaced apart relationship to said base portion of said channel; and
- at least a third leg portion extending from said base portion, said at least a third leg portion of said guide element being configured for being disposed adjacent one of said first and second leg portions of said channel for guiding movement of said guide member within said channel;
- said detent member for being disposed within said channel between said first and second leg portions of said channel; and
- said at least a third leg portion of said guide element being configured to pass between said detent member and said adjacent one of said first and second leg portion of said channel during movement of said guide element along said path of travel for engagement of said first and second detent means portions with one another.
- 15. The door according to claim 14, wherein:
- said at least a third leg portion of said guide element comprises a first surface for being disposed adjacent said adjacent one of said first and second leg portions of said channel, and a second surface disposed opposite said first surface;
- said guide element has a longitudinal dimension for being disposed along the longitudinal dimension of said channel;
- said second surface of said at least a third leg portion comprises:
- a first end and a second end, said first and second ends being disposed spaced apart along the longitudinal dimension of said guide element;
- a central portion disposed between said first and second ends;
- a first bevelled portion extending from said first end to substantially said central portion, said first bevelled portion having a lower portion adjacent said first end and a raised portion adjacent said central portion;
- a second bevelled portion extending from said second end to substantially said central portion, said second bevelled portion having a lower portion adjacent said second end and a raised portion adjacent said central portion; and
- said catch portion disposed at said central portion, said catch portion comprising a recessed portion between said raised portions of both of said first and second bevelled portions; and
- said detent member comprises said corresponding projection for engaging with said catch portion of said guide element as said at least a third leg portion of said guide element passes between said detent member and said adjacent one of said first and second leg portions.
- 16. The door according to claim 15, wherein:
- said detent member comprises a base plate, said base plate having a width substantially equal to the first distance between said first and second leg portions of said channel, and said base plate having a thickness;
- each of said first and second leg portions of said channel comprise strip projections disposed along the longitudinal dimension of said channel, and projecting away from a corresponding one of each of said first and second side portions towards the other of said first and second side portions;
- said strip projections being disposed a second distance from said base portion of said channel;
- said second distance being substantially equal to the thickness of said base plate; and
- said base plate of said detent member being slidable along said longitudinal dimension of said channel between said base portion of said channel and said strip projections of said first and second side portions to adjustably position said detent member within said channel.
- 17. The door according to claim 16, wherein:
- said guide element comprises a substantially U-shaped guide element having a fourth leg portion disposed opposite to said third leg portion, said fourth leg portion of said guide element for being disposed adjacent the other of said first and second leg portions of said channel;
- said fourth leg portion of said guide element comprises a third surface for being disposed adjacent said adjacent one of the other of said first and second leg portions of said channel, and a fourth surface disposed opposite said third surface; and
- said fourth surface of said second leg portion comprises:
- a third end and a fourth end, said third and fourth ends being disposed spaced apart along the longitudinal dimension of said guide element;
- a central portion disposed between said third and fourth ends;
- a third bevelled portion extending from said third end to substantially said central portion, said third bevelled portion having a lower portion adjacent said third end and a raised portion adjacent said central portion;
- a fourth bevelled portion extending from said fourth end to substantially said central portion, said fourth bevelled portion having a lower portion adjacent said fourth end and a raised portion adjacent said central portion; and
- said central portion of said fourth leg portion of said guide element comprises an additional catch portion disposed opposite to said catch portion of said third leg portion of said guide element, said additional catch portion comprising
- a recessed portion between said raised portions of both of said third and fourth bevelled portions; and
- said detent member comprises a portion extending from said base plate, said extending portion comprising a first surface disposed towards said first leg portion and a second surface opposite to said first surface and disposed towards said second leg portion;
- said first and second surface of said detent member comprise ones of:
- arcuate surfaces and angled surfaces; and said ones of:
- said arcuate surfaces and said angled surfaces comprise corresponding first and second projections of said detent member for simultaneously engaging with said catch portions of said guide element.
- 18. A guide assembly for controlling opening and closing of a door, the door having a hinge axis for pivoting of the door thereabout, said guide assembly comprising:
- a channel affixable to a member of the door mounting frame which is perpendicular to a plane passing through a hinge axis of a door, the channel having a longitudinal dimension for being disposed parallel to a longitudinal axis of the frame member; and the channel comprising:
- a base portion;
- first and second leg portions extending from said base portion, said first and second leg portions being disposed spaced apart a first distance from one another;
- a single slide for being guided within said channel along a path of movement along the longitudinal dimension of said channel, said slide having a longitudinal dimension for being disposed along the longitudinal dimension of said channel;
- said slide comprising a base portion with at least a third leg portion extending from said base portion, said slide for being disposed in said channel with said third leg portion disposed in contact with one of said first and second leg portions of said channel;
- said third leg portion having a first surface for being disposed in contact with said one of said first and second leg portions and a second surface opposite to said first surface, said second surface comprising:
- a first end and a second end with a first recessed catch portion disposed between the first and second ends;
- first and second bevelled portions leading to said first recessed catch portion said first and second bevelled portions each having a lower portion and a raised portion with said lower portion being disposed away from said first catch portion and said raised portion being disposed adjacent said first catch portion;
- an arm having a first end and a second end said first end of said arm comprising means for being pivotably connected to said slide, and said second end of said arm comprising means for being pivotably connected to a door at a point spaced apart from a hinge axis of the door;
- detent means for holding a door in a selected open position relative to a door mounting frame said detent means comprising:
- a detent member for being disposed between said first and second leg portions of said channel at a position along said channel, said position of said detent member determining said selected open position of the door;
- said detent member having a first surface disposed towards said one of said first and second leg portions of said channel, and said first surface comprising:
- a first corresponding projection for engaging said first recessed catch portion of said slide; and
- means for disposing said first projection in the path of said slide for engagement of said first catch portion of said slide with said first projection of said detent member as said third leg portion of said slide moves between said detent member and said one of said first and second leg portions of said channel;
- at least one of said slide and said detent member comprising means for urging at least one of said first catch portion and said first projection into a detent relationship with one another;
- said means for urging being substantially resilient for permitting engagement of at least said first catch portion and said first corresponding projection and said means for urging having sufficient rigidity for maintaining engagement of said first catch portion and said first corresponding projection in the absence of external forces applied to the door;
- said channel and said slide each being configured for permitting substantially unobstructed movement of said slide along a substantial portion of said channel;
- said channel comprises a substantially C-shaped channel;
- said detent member comprises a base plate, said base plate having a width substantially equal to the first distance between said first and second leg portions of said channel, and said base plate having a thickness;
- each of said first and second leg portions of said channel comprise strip projections disposed along the longitudinal dimension of said channel, and projecting away from a corresponding one of each of said first and second side portions towards the other of said first and second side portions;
- said strip projections being disposed a second distance from said base portion of said channel;
- said second distance being substantially equal to the thickness of said base plate;
- said base plate of said detent member being slidably positionable along said longitudinal dimension of said channel between said base portion of said channel and said strip projections of said first and second side portions to adjustably position said detent member to positions within said channel;
- said slide comprises a substantially U-shaped slide having a fourth leg portion disposed opposite to said third leg portion, said fourth leg portion of said slide for being disposed adjacent to and in contact with the other of said first and second leg portions of said channel;
- said fourth leg portion of said slide comprises a third surface for being disposed adjacent said adjacent one of the other of said first and second leg portions of said channel, and a fourth surface disposed opposite said third surface;
- said fourth surface of said second leg portion comprises:
- a third end and a fourth end, said third and fourth ends being disposed spaced apart along the longitudinal dimension of said slide;
- a central portion disposed between said third and fourth ends;
- a third bevelled portion extending from said third end to substantially said central portion, said third bevelled portion having a lower portion adjacent said third end and a raised portion adjacent said central portion;
- a fourth bevelled portion extending from said fourth end to substantially said central portion, said fourth bevelled portion having a lower portion adjacent said fourth end and a raised portion adjacent said central portion; and
- said central portion of said fourth leg portion of said slide comprises an additional catch portion disposed opposite to said catch portion of said third leg portion of said slide, said additional catch portion comprising a recessed portion between said raised portions of both of said third and fourth bevelled portions; and
- said detent member further comprises a second projection corresponding to said additional catch portion of said fourth leg portion, said second projection being disposed opposite to said first projection, and said first and second projections being configured to simultaneously engage said catch portions of said slide.
- 19. The assembly according to claim 18, wherein:
- said detent member comprises a portion extending from said base plate, said extending portion comprises said surface disposed towards said one of said first and second leg portions of said channel, said extending portion comprises an additional surface disposed towards the other of said first and second leg portions, said surfaces of said detent member comprise one of:
- arcuate surfaces and angled surfaces; and said one of:
- said arcuate surfaces and said angled surfaces comprise said corresponding first and second projections of said detent member for engaging with said catches of said slide;
- said first, second, third and fourth bevelled portions of said slide are disposed at an angle of about 10.degree. with respect to the longitudinal axis of said channel;
- said angled surfaces of said detent member are disposed at an angle of about 30.degree. with respect to the longitudinal axis of said channel; and
- said detent member comprises means for retaining said detent member in a selected position within said channel, said means for retaining comprising:
- threaded orifices in said base plate of said detent member; and
- screws for being threaded into said orifices to wedge said base plate against said strip projections as said screws are threaded into said orifices and contact said base portion of said channel.
Parent Case Info
This is a divisional of U.S. Ser. No. 07/931,281, filed on Aug. 17, 1992, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,311,642 which claims priority from Federal Republic of Germany Patent Application No. P 40 05 203, filed on Feb. 20, 1990, and based on International Application No. PCT/DE 90/00962, filed on Dec. 13, 1990.
US Referenced Citations (5)
Foreign Referenced Citations (2)
Number |
Date |
Country |
1432653 |
Sep 1965 |
FRX |
2018887 |
Oct 1979 |
GBX |
Divisions (1)
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Number |
Date |
Country |
Parent |
931281 |
Aug 1992 |
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