The objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments and certain modifications thereof when taken together with the accompanying drawings in which like numbers represent like items throughout and in which:
For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the exemplary embodiment illustrated in the drawings and described below. The embodiment disclosed is not intended to be exhaustive or limit the invention to the precise form disclosed in the following detailed description. Rather, the embodiment is chosen and described so that others skilled in the art may utilize its teachings. It will be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended. The invention includes any alterations and modifications in the illustrated device, the methods of operation, and further applications of the principles of the invention which would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates.
The invention is a power pack assembly for biasing a primary door opening mechanism to a neutral or home position after being manually displaced from the home position, and for retaining the primary mechanism in that home position despite ambient forces (such as the force of gravity acting on the door lever), until such time as additional manual force is applied to again operate it. Displacement of the primary mechanism may be rotational or angular displacement about an axis, or linear displacement. As depicted in
With the cover plate 16 removed, as depicted in
Flanges 26, 27, 28, 29 anchor compression springs (not shown in this view), and for this purpose may be generally orthogonal tabs projecting from their respective frame members. However, the flanges 26, 27, 28, 29 may take other forms including protrusions, hooks, pins or any other means for retaining a spring including tack welds of the spring ends directly to the respective frame members. As stated, first and second arms 22, 24 are interlocked such that flange 28 is situated between flanges 26 and 27. Similarly, flange 27 is situated between flanges 28 and 29, as best seen in
With reference to
Counterclockwise rotation of cam 38 engages the first slide arm 22 at flange 27, and clockwise rotation of cam 38 engages the second slide arm 24 at flange 28. Thus, as depicted in
Rotation of the spindle hub 36 in the opposite direction produces a like result, with cam 38 forcing flange 27 to slide into and compress second spring 40 between itself and flange 29, which is held in place by the housing 12. At the same time, sliding of flange 27 draws flange 26 in the same directing via frame member 23, thereby simultaneously compressing first spring 42 between flange 26 and flange 28, flange 28 being held in place via frame member 25 and flange 29 contacting the housing. Potential energy again stored in first and second springs 42, 40 likewise returns and maintains first arm 22 and thus door lever 32 in the home position when the door lever 32 is released.
One skilled in the art will now see that the foregoing configuration provides compression of both compression springs 40, 42 regardless of which direction the spindle 30 is rotated thereby providing maximum reverse bias return the spindle 30 and any knob or lever connected thereto to the rest position. This produces twice as much force as would be possible using independent springs of the same length, and entirely eliminates the need for more expensive and less reliable expansion springs or torsion springs yet applies the entire righting force of both springs in compression only leading to more both reliable operation and less expensive manufacture. The forgoing design further simplifies the mechanisms of the prior art, reducing the total number of parts thereby providing smoother operation and reduced wear cost.
Having now fully set forth the preferred embodiment and certain modifications of the concept underlying the present invention, various other embodiments as well as certain variations and modifications of the embodiments herein shown and described will obviously occur to those skilled in the art upon becoming familiar with said underlying concept. It is to be understood, therefore, that the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically set forth in the appended claims and may be used with a variety of materials and components. This application is therefore intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention using its general principles. Further, this application is intended to cover such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to which this invention pertains.
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