The present invention relates to the field of door hardware, and more particularly concerns track and arm holder assemblies for doors.
Door motion controllers include track and arm door holder assemblies. Track and arm door holder assemblies are often used to hold open doors that have automatic door closers. An automatic door closer applies force to the door to push the door to the closed position. A door holder assembly holds the door open when the door is opened past a certain threshold point. The door holder must overcome the force exerted by the closer, and then release when additional force is provided to close the door.
A track and arm door holder includes a track assembly and an arm assembly. The track assembly attaches to the top of each door, either on the surface of the door or in a recessed area in the top edge of the door. The arm assembly is attached between the door frame header and the track assembly. An end of the arm assembly attaches to a sliding mechanism movably disposed in the track assembly. A trip lever holds the door open at a precise location which may be, for example, 85, 90, 95, 100, 105, or 110 degrees open. Such an arrangement requires the track assembly and the arm assembly to be mounted in precise locations in order to fix the desired angle of opening, and frequently the assembly cannot be adjusted once the mounting is performed.
Attempts have been made to provide an adjustable hold-open mechanism for a door holder assembly. Current designs may include an expandable block with a set screw that is lodged between the walls of the track, which may be a “C” shaped channel. The expandable block relies largely on friction to fix its position, but the momentum of doors that may weigh on the order of two to three hundred pounds can dislodge this type of device. The relatively low holding strength of the block and premature wear of the channel that can result from the friction action may cause poor performance.
There are also door motion controllers that slow the motion of the door as the door approaches the fully open position and as the door begins to return to the closed position. In this arrangement, the sliding mechanism of the track assembly may include a friction assembly with a surface that rubs along a raised portion of the track at the end of the mechanism's motion. A stop determines the fully open position of the door. However, the stop frequently cannot be adjusted within the track, must be carefully placed during installation to locate the fully open position as desired.
Accordingly, there exists a need for a new door controller assembly. Ideally, the new door controller assembly will be adjustable to allow door holding over a range of opening angles and provide holding strength to prevent movement of the door from the holding position.
In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a door motion controller assembly is provided for a door. The door includes a first major surface and a second major surface, and a hinged vertical edge, a free vertical edge, a top edge, and a bottom edge. The edges are between and interconnect the first major surface and the second major surface. The motion controller assembly includes an elongated channel member and a gripping member. The elongated channel member has a longitudinal axis and includes a web and two side walls extending in the same direction from the web, and defines an elongated channel. The channel member further includes teeth extending from a side of the web and into the channel, and is adapted to be mounted to the door. The gripping member includes a toothed surface and is slidably disposed in the channel member such that the toothed surface opposes the toothed side of the web. The gripping member has a first position spaced from the channel member teeth such that the gripping member is movable in the channel member, and a second position where the teeth of the gripping member engage the channel member teeth such that the gripping member is fixed relative to the channel member.
In accordance with another embodiment according to the present invention, a motion controller assembly for a door includes an elongated channel member having a longitudinal axis and including a web and two side walls extending in the same direction from the web, defining an elongated channel. The channel member further includes teeth extending from a side of the web and into the channel, and is adapted to be mounted to the door. A gripping member is slidably disposed in the channel member and includes a housing slidably disposed in the channel member and having a threaded opening opposite the channel member teeth, a toothed portion that is movably disposed in the housing with teeth that oppose the channel member teeth, and a pin including a first threaded end engaging the threaded opening of the housing and including a second end rotatably mounted to the toothed portion. An elongated clip is mounted to the gripping member, extends along the longitudinal axis, and includes a deformed end. A slide piece is slidably disposed in the channel member and is spaced from the housing. A spring clip or a latch is mounted to the slide piece. The toothed portion has a first position spaced from the channel member teeth such that the gripping member is movable in the channel member when the pin is retracted, and a second position where the teeth of the toothed portion engage the channel member teeth such that the gripping member is fixed relative to the channel member when the pin is advanced. When the spring clip or latch slides towards the gripping member, the spring clip or latch engages the deformed end of the elongated clip.
In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, a motion controller assembly for a door includes an elongated channel member having a longitudinal axis and including a web and two side walls extending in the same direction from the web, defining an elongated channel. The channel member further includes teeth extending from a side of the web and into the channel, and is adapted to be mounted to the door. A gripping member is slidably disposed in the channel member and includes a housing slidably disposed in the channel member and having a threaded opening opposite the channel member teeth, a toothed portion that is movably disposed in the housing with teeth that oppose the channel member teeth, and a pin including a first threaded end engaging the threaded opening of the housing and including a second end rotatably mounted to the toothed portion. An elongated clip is mounted to the gripping member and extends along the longitudinal axis. The elongated clip includes a deformed end. A slide piece is slidably disposed in the channel member, is spaced from the housing, and has a threaded opening. A spring clip is mounted to the slide piece. A set screw extends through and engages the threaded opening in the slide piece. When the slide piece slides towards the housing, the spring clip and the deformed end of the elongated clip releasably engage, and when advanced the set screw urges the spring clip towards the web and increases the tightness of the engagement between the spring clip and the deformed end of the elongated clip.
In accordance with another embodiment according to the present invention, a motion controller assembly for a door includes an elongated channel member having a longitudinal axis and including a web and two side walls extending in the same direction from the web, defining an elongated channel. The channel member further includes teeth extending from a side of the web and into the channel, and is adapted to be mounted to the door. A gripping member is slidably disposed in the channel member and includes a housing slidably disposed in the channel member and having a threaded opening opposite the channel member teeth, a toothed portion that is movably disposed in the housing with teeth that oppose the channel member teeth, and a pin including a first threaded end engaging the threaded opening of the housing and including a second end rotatably mounted to the toothed portion. An elongated clip is mounted to the gripping member and extends along the longitudinal axis, and includes a deformed end. A slide piece is slidably disposed in the channel member, is spaced from the housing, and has a threaded opening. A latch is pivotally mounted to the slide piece, and a set screw extends through and engages the threaded opening in the slide piece. When the slide piece slides towards the housing, the latch and the elongated clip releasably engage, and when advanced the set screw limits the pivoting of the latch and controls the tightness of the engagement between the latch and the deformed end of the elongated clip.
In accordance with another embodiment according to the present invention, a motion controller assembly for a door includes an elongated channel member having a longitudinal axis and including a web and two side walls extending in the same direction from the web, defining an elongated channel. The channel member further includes teeth extending from a side of the web and into the channel, and is adapted to be mounted to the door. A gripping member is slidably disposed in the channel member and includes a housing slidably disposed in the channel member and having a threaded opening opposite the channel member teeth, a toothed portion that is movably disposed in the housing with teeth that oppose the channel member teeth, and a pin including a first threaded end engaging the threaded opening of the housing and including a second end rotatably mounted to the toothed portion. An elongated clip is mounted to the gripping member and extends along the longitudinal axis, and includes a deformed end. A slide piece is slidably disposed in the channel member and is spaced from the housing. A friction member mounted to the slide piece. The toothed portion has a first position spaced from the channel member teeth such that the gripping member is movable in the channel member when the pin is retracted, and a second position where the teeth of the toothed portion engage the channel member teeth such that the gripping member is fixed relative to the channel member when the pin is advanced. A major surface of the friction member contacts the channel member teeth.
In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, a door assembly includes a door and a motion controller assembly mounted to the door. The motion controller assembly includes an elongated channel member and a gripping member. The elongated channel member has a longitudinal axis and includes a web and two side walls extending in the same direction from the web, and defines an elongated channel. The channel member further includes teeth extending from a side of the web and into the channel, and is adapted to be mounted to the door. The gripping member includes a toothed surface and is slidably disposed in the channel member such that the toothed surface opposes the toothed side of the web. The gripping member has a first position spaced from the channel member teeth such that the gripping member is movable in the channel member, and a second position where the teeth of the gripping member engage the channel member teeth such that the gripping member is fixed relative to the channel member.
In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, a method of making a motion controller assembly for a door is provided. The method includes providing an elongated channel member having a longitudinal axis and including a web and two side walls extending in the same direction from the web and defining an elongated channel. The channel member further includes teeth extending from a side of the web and into the channel, and is adapted to be mounted to the door. A gripping member is provided including a toothed portion. The gripping member is slidably disposed in the channel member such that the toothed portion of the gripping member opposes the channel member teeth.
In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, a method of installing a motion controller assembly for a door is provided. The method includes mounting a track assembly to the door. The track assembly includes an elongated channel member having a longitudinal axis and including a web and two side walls extending in the same direction from the web, defining an elongated channel. The channel member further includes teeth extending from a side of the web and into the channel, and is adapted to be mounted to the door. A gripping member is slidably disposed in the channel member and includes a housing slidably disposed in the channel member and having a threaded opening opposite the channel member teeth, a toothed portion that is movably disposed in the housing with teeth that oppose the channel member teeth, and a pin including a first threaded end engaging the threaded opening of the housing and including a second end rotatably mounted to the toothed portion. The position of the gripping member is adjusted by sliding the gripping member along the channel member. The pin is advanced to cause the teeth of the gripping member to engage the channel member teeth, fixing the position of the housing.
In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, a method of installing a holder assembly for a door is provided. The method includes mounting a track assembly to the door, with the track assembly including an elongated channel member, a housing, an elongated clip, a slide piece, a spring clip, and a set screw. The channel member has a longitudinal axis and includes a web and two side walls extending in the same direction from the web. The housing is slidably disposed in the channel member. The elongated clip is mounted to the housing and extends along the longitudinal axis, and includes a deformed end. The slide piece is movably disposed in the channel member, is spaced from the housing, and has a threaded opening. The spring clip is mounted to the slide piece. The set screw extends through and engages the threaded opening in the slide piece. The set screw is advanced to urge the spring clip towards the web, increasing the tightness of the engagement between the spring clip and the deformed end of the elongated clip.
In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, a method of installing a holder assembly for a door is provided. The method includes mounting a track assembly to the door, with the track assembly including an elongated channel member, a housing, an elongated clip, a slide piece, a latch, and a set screw. The channel member has a longitudinal axis and includes a web and two side walls extending in the same direction from the web. The housing is slidably disposed in the channel member. The elongated clip is mounted to the housing and extends along the longitudinal axis, and includes a deformed end. The slide piece is movably disposed in the channel member, is spaced from the housing, and has a threaded opening. The latch is pivotally mounted to the slide piece. The set screw extends through and engages the threaded opening in the slide piece. The set screw is advanced to limit the pivoting of the latch and control the tightness of the engagement between the latch and the deformed end of the elongated clip.
Features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent in light of the following detailed description of some embodiments thereof, as illustrated in the accompanying figures. As will be realized, the invention is capable of modifications in various respects, all without departing from the invention. Accordingly, the drawings and the description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature, and not as restrictive.
In the Figures herein, unique features receive unique reference numerals, while features that are the same in more than one drawing receive the same reference numerals throughout. Where a feature is modified between figures or is modified only by a change in location, a letter may be added or changed after the feature reference numeral to distinguish that feature from a similar feature in a previous figure or the same feature in an alternate location. Further, certain terms of orientation may be used, such as “horizontal,” “vertical,” “upper,” “lower,” “top,” “bottom,” “left,” “right,” “inside,” “outside,” “inner,” and “outer.” These terms are generally for convenience of reference, and should be so understood unless a particular embodiment requires otherwise. Where the terms “horizontal” and “vertical” are used, they should be understood to mean “approximately horizontal” and “approximately vertical,” respectively.
The scope of the invention is not intended to be limited by specific materials, but may be carried out using any materials that allow construction and operation. Materials and dimensions depend on the particular application. In general the materials of the components may be metal, and selectively may be plastic, as known by one of ordinary skill in the art.
Referring now to the drawings, an embodiment of a door motion controller assembly 40 according to the present invention is shown in
The arm assembly 44 includes an arm 64 and a mounting plate 66. The mounting plate 66 is mounted to the door frame 68. The arm 64 has one end pivotally mounted to the sliding piece 50 of the track assembly 42 and one end pivotally mounted to the mounting plate 66.
Parts that complete the track assembly 42 go inside the channel 46. A track 90 is fastened to the web 80. The track 90 includes a section that has teeth 92 on the upward side, away from the web 80. An adjustable stop 100 is slidably disposed in the channel member 46 on the track 90. The adjustable stop 100 includes a slide lock housing 94, a slide lock 96, and a slotted pin 99. Openings 90, 91 in the track may be used to fasten the track 90 to the web 80. The slidelock housing 94 is generally “U” shaped in cross-section including a base portion and opposed parallel leg portions. The track 90 is received between the leg portions. A slidelock 96 is disposed on the track 90 and at least partly within the slidelock housing 94. The slidelock 96 has teeth 98 on its bottom side proximate to the teeth 92 on the track 90 and in one embodiment is a machined plate or block. A slotted pin 99 extends through a threaded opening 102 in the housing 94 to a slot 104 in the slidelock 96 for control of the slidelock 96. A coil spring 106 is mounted to one end of the housing 94 and extends towards the end 62 of the channel 46. An elongated lock clip 108 is mounted to the bottom of the housing 94 in a slot 110 and also extends towards the end of the channel 46.
A first embodiment of a slide mechanism 120 is slibably disposed in the channel 46 between the adjustable stop 100 and end 62. The slide mechanism 120 includes the slide piece 50, a spring clip 122 and first and second set screws 126, 128. The spring clip 122 is mounted to the slide piece 50 in a slot 124 and is held into place with the first set screw 126. The second set screw 128, oriented vertically, passes through the slide piece 50 through an opening 129 to contact the spring clip 122.
End blocks 130 enclose the ends of the channel 46. Set screws 132 pass through openings 134 in the end blocks 130 and apply pressure to the track 90 to hold the track in place. Openings, not visible, through the channel web 80, openings 136 through the end blocks 130, and openings 131 through the track 90 receive fasteners for securing the channel member 46 in the recess at the top edge 52 of the door 48 for a concealed track assembly installation. If the track assembly 42 is to be mounted on the surface 58 of the door 48, openings 140 for fasteners may be provided through the side walls 82 of the channel 46 resulting a surface mounted track assembly installation as shown in the embodiment of
With respect to the arm assembly 44, a cam pivot 150, which is a shouldered rivet, passes through an opening 152 at one end of the arm 64, then through a washer 154 and attaches to the slide piece 50, in an opening 155, and is spun riveted in place. At the other end of the arm 64, another cam pivot 156 extends through an opening 158 in the arm 64 and into an opening 160 in the mounting plate 66 where it attaches to the mounting plate 66. Smaller openings 162 in the mounting plate 66 are used to fasten the mounting plate 66 to the door frame 68.
As shown in
Referring now to
The securing and adjustment of the spring clip 122 is also shown in
In
The lock clip 108 and the spring clip 122 are separated when not in a hold-open position. When the slide piece 50 is moved by opening the door 48, the arm 64 is extended to the left (as seen in
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Number | Date | Country | |
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20080184627 A1 | Aug 2008 | US |