Information
-
Patent Grant
-
6397431
-
Patent Number
6,397,431
-
Date Filed
Tuesday, December 28, 199924 years ago
-
Date Issued
Tuesday, June 4, 200222 years ago
-
Inventors
-
-
Examiners
- Knight; Anthony
- Patel; Vishal
-
CPC
-
US Classifications
Field of Search
US
- 016 67
- 016 66
- 016 71
- 016 72
-
International Classifications
-
Abstract
An assembly (50) adapted to a reciprocative door closer device (10) and contingent door (62), the device (10) comprising a rod (16) and a body (12) having a biasing means (11) normally operating to comprise decreasing actuation and causing the rod (16) and door (62) towards a closed position (62-A); the assembly (50) including a hinge bracket (50-A) joined to a fixated bracket (50-A) and a spring means (54) capable of a ligamentous movement (55) normally operating as substantially inactive, unless, said assembly (50) detects an excessive inward force (11-B) exceeding said device (10), wherein said assembly (50) responsively opts to regulate increasing actuation towards the closed position (62-A) without cause to said rod (16), to dampen, protect, and compensate said excessive force (11-B) and return said device (10) and door (62) towards normal operation.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates to various reciprocative devices comprising a rod that functions from within a body controlling a biasing means. A prior art reciprocating door closer installed on a contingent screen or storm door exemplifies such a device. The device comprises normal operation to substantially cause the door towards a closed door position. The door closer is normally loosely mounted with a checking mechanism for engaging and checking the biasing means and holding the door in an opened position. More particularly, this invention relates to an improved apparatus and methodology to dampen the device and door to protect from damage due to excessive inward biasing forces caused when the door is held opened by an engaged checking mechanism, then urged towards a closed position without first the mechanism, particularly if the mechanism is of superior nature as describe in U.S. Pat. No. 5,953,789 to Alonso.
The reader will also realize that the inventions disclosed herein may be adapted onto other reciprocative devices including those not equipped with a superior checking mechanism. The invention may be incorporated with U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,829,098 and 6,032,331 both to Alonso, for creating a preferred door closer device.
BACKGROUND ART
A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material which is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no obligation to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent And Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright whatsoever.
A brief description of a prior art reciprocative device includes a basic door closure device which is controlled with liquid or gas. The device may typically contain a piston assembly including a piston with sealing o-ring; piston rod varieties which include curved and non-curved surfaces; internal compression spring operators and hydraulic biasing operators for controlling the biasing forces; a cylindrical piston body; scaled and non-sealed end caps and grommets; fluid restriction valves; attachment members; and the checking mechanism which holds the door opened. Such door closer devices are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,732,920; 2,920,338; 3,032,806; 3,162,889; 3,566,435; 3,665,549; 4,777,698; and Can. Pat. No. 623,038.
Most prior art reciprocative door closer device normally operate comprising at least one rod which functions reciprocatively from within a body having an internal biasing means. The biasing means actuates to control two distinctive biasing forces common to the device and the door; an outward biasing force, that is increasingly actuated while causing the rod and door towards the opened position; and, an inward biasing force which is decreasingly actuated while causing the rod and door towards the closed position. Upon applying an external outward force, the biasing means acts to counter and control the inward force. The applicant believes that despite origin of the biasing forces, either if caused externally as through human interference or caused internally as from the device, the two forces are clearly and distinctly taught as absolutely equating towards the device operation and the door position.
The checking mechanism is for engaging and checking the inward force, and holding said rod and door towards any opened position. The hold-open feature is externally activated by first opening the door to a desired position, thus creating outward biasing forces which increasingly extends the rod from within the body, and, increasingly actuate pressure within the body at the biasing operators for the biasing means. The inward biasing force is then normally decreasingly actuated to return the rod and close the door, causing as a result of the biasing operators. The checking mechanism is axially mounted onto the rod through an aperture configuration, first by moving the mechanism to a desired position on the extended rod. Releasing the door, the internal operator acts to return the rod towards the normally retracted position within the body. Once the piston body and end cap contacts the mechanism upon the trigger area, the biasing force causes the mechanism to lever. A direct frictional pressure is torsionally created by opposing points comprised within the aperture that is then applied onto surfaces of the piston rod, whereby the mechanism frictionally checks the device. More biasing force controlled by the internal operator results in more direct pressure causing the friction onto the surfaces of the rod.
The art has never before revealed any substantial reason to dampen the door closer device and contingent door to protect from damage due to excessive inward biasing forces, nor to compensate for a superior checking mechanism. When a door is being held opened with an engaged superior checking mechanism holding the rod, excessive inward forces can be generated by an unsuspecting person's attempt to close the door without first disengaging the mechanism. Because the rod can not reciprocate back towards the body, the extended rod therefore becomes excessive and may subject the door and device to extensive damage. A superior mechanism that is substantially tempered and hardened may not reveal any give to compensate for the excessive inward force. Not realizing that the checking mechanism is actually holding the door opened, the unsuspecting person's psychological then physical reaction may be to push harder in an effort to close the door, thus further increasing the inward forces for the device, which comprises a decreasing actuation towards the closed position.
Tremendous leverage may be quickly generated by pushing on the outermost edge of the door. Substantial damage to various components may include the contingent door and door frame, and the door closer device. If the device is not equipped with a clip plate to accommodate the doorjamb bracket, the bracket may be forcibly detached from atop the doorjamb. Because the device is typically fastened to the door with sheet metal screws that do not penetrate the entire substance of door, such as with a bolt and threaded fastener nut, the device may then be forcibly detached from atop the door. Most prior art mechanisms are manufactured from common sheet steel which is relatively soft and easily fail when placed under similar excessive inward forces. These and other issuers create a shortened life span for the device, which coincidentally offers the industry certain obsolescence resulting in frequent consumer purchases. The reader will also realize that the invention may be adapted onto any device including those not equipped with a superior checking mechanism.
FIG. 6
illustrates a normally operational prior art door closer device (
10
) not to be confuse as anticipating the inventive concepts submitted herein. The coil spring assembly (
50
) is adapted to communicate with the rod (
16
), to comprise a partial biasing means operator (
11
), only for protecting the device (
10
) and door (
62
not shown) from an excessive outward biasing force (
11
-A) such as from a sudden wind gust that could force the door beyond a normal opened position. As the rod (
16
) is maximally extended from the body (
12
) creating increasingly outward biasing force (
11
-A), the coil spring assembly (
50
) dampens by providing a reciprocative decreasing inward biasing force (
11
-B) to cause the rod (
16
) again towards the body (
12
). The spring (
50
) constantly and increasingly actuate throughout the entire normal operation for the device (
10
), as the spring (
50
) comprises the sole link between the doorjamb bracket (
61
) and the rod (
16
). Even if the checking mechanism (
22
) were engaged to hold the rod (
16
) in a opened position (
62
-B), then urged towards a closed position (
62
-A) to create excessive inward forces (
11
-B), the assembly (
50
) absolutely would not dampen, protect, nor compensate the device (
10
).
It is unclear as to why the art would offer such this assembly on the exterior piston rod of the device, as a similar and simpler assembly has long been implemented on the interior of the body comprising a loosely mounted coil spring or similar mechanism acting with the rod to actuate when the rod is maximally extended, as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,665,549 Quinn (
36
). Certainly replacement options for the prior art checking mechanism have been eliminated. I believe that this exterior assembly merely complicates the device and does not offer any substantial benefit over the previous interior assembly. Respectfully, none of the disclosures of this prior art assembly are anticipated, required, initiated, nor beneficial towards the superior inventions disclosed herein.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
The present invention comprises a spring assembly adapted to dampen and protect the complete door closer device and contingent door from damage due to any excessive inward biasing forces caused when the door is held opened by an engaged checking mechanism, then urged towards a closed position without first releasing the mechanism. An object of these inventions are to dampen and protect the door closer and door from an unsuspecting person who pushes the door held opened with a superior checking mechanism that is substantially tempered and hardened. Another object of these inventions are to dampen and protect from damage due to leverage generated by pushing on the outermost edge of the door. Another object of these inventions are to protect the doorjamb bracket from forceful detachment when not equipped with a clip plate. Another object of these inventions are to increase the life of a prior art non-hardened, nor tempered checking mechanism.
The assembly may comprise a hinge bracket joined to a fixated bracket, and a torsion spring means capable of providing an abrupt ligamentous movement, that will not substantially actuate during normal operation for the device, and, will not substantially cause the door either towards any closed position or any opened position, unless the spring encounters excessive inward force which may exceed the normal operation for the device. An object of these inventions are to responsively compensate for excessive inward force. Another object of these inventions are to detour the unsuspecting person's psychological then physical reaction to push harder in an effort to close a door held opened with any checking mechanism. Another object of these inventions are to immediately return the door closer devise to a normal operation and the door to a normal position.
The assembly may be incorporated on the opposite end of the piston rod, commonly the body of the device. An object of these inventions are to comprise a normally increasing actuation for causing the door towards any closed position, and, a normally decreasing actuation for causing the door towards any opened position, with absolutely no cause to the rod. Another object of these inventions are to immediately return the door closer devise to a normal operation and the door to a normal position. Another object of these inventions are to opt for checking mechanism removal and replacement. Another object of these inventions are to streamline the assembly into the device.
The fixated bracket may be attached to the door with carriage bolts and threaded nuts or similar threaded fasteners, for penetrating the entire substance of the door. An object of these inventions are to improve the fastener screws for the fixated bracket. Another object of these inventions are to provide maximum strength for the bracket. The hinging members and other components may be substantially tempered and hardened. An object of these inventions are to provide long life for the door closer device.
These and further objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description of the preferred embodiments thereof.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1
if a prospective view of a superior door closer device in a closed position, comprising a piston rod within a body controlling a biasing means, and a superior checking mechanism. The invention, a spring assembly to protect from excessive inward biasing forces is also shown in a closed position.
FIG. 2
is a frontal view of the torsion assembly of FIG.
1
.
FIG. 3
is top view of the assembly adapted on the opposite end of the piston rod for the door closer device. The device and contingent door are shown in three positions: a closed position; an opened position; and a dampened position.
FIG. 4
is an enlarged view of the assembly of
FIG. 3
, comprising a normally increasing actuation for causing the door towards any closed position, and decreasing actuation for returning towards the opened position.
FIG. 5
is a reference list.
Prior Art
FIG. 6
is a prior art door closer device providing a damper assembly as a biasing means, adapted on the exterior piston rod to protect from excessive and increasingly outward biasing forces only.
BEST MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
FIGS. 1-2
are taught conceptually together wherein
FIG. 1
is a prospective view of a superior door closer
10
shown comparable to closed position
62
-A, comprising a piston rod
16
within a piston body
12
controlling a biasing means
11
. The biasing means (
11
) controls and operates two distinctive biasing forces common to the device
10
and the door
62
. An outward biasing force
11
-A comprises normally increasing actuation for causing the rod
16
and door
62
towards an opened position
62
-B, and an inward biasing force
11
-B comprising normally decreasing actuation for again causing the rod
16
and door
62
towards the closed position
62
A. The forces can originate and be influenced either externally as through human interference, or internally as from the device
10
. The two forces clearly equate towards the operation of the device
10
and the position door
62
. A superior, substantially tempered and hardened checking mechanism
22
is mounted onto the piston rod
16
for checking and holding the inward force
11
-B. A clip plate
60
is accommodating the doorjamb bracket
61
which normally mounts atop a doorjamb. The invention, a spring assembly
50
is adapted onto the opposite end of the piston rod
16
, primarily comprising a hinge bracket
50
-A, a link pin
58
, a fixated bracket
50
-B, and a torsion spring
54
.
FIG. 2
is a frontal view of the damper assembly
50
attached to the lug mount
48
which accommodates a lug pin
56
for fixating the assembly
50
onto the device
10
. The assembly
50
comprises a hinge bracket
50
-A which is attached to the mount
48
of the body
12
, and a fixated bracket
50
-B providing fasteners holes
52
attachable to a contingent door
62
shown in
FIG. 3. A
torsion spring
54
is adapted onto a link pin
58
, for the purpose of deflecting energy about the center axis of the pin
58
, normally in any preferred direction of wind. The reader will note that the legs for the spring
54
are deflecting energy against the brackets
50
-A and
50
-B, holding the assembly
50
as in a normally closed position
62
-A. The spring
54
will not cause any substantial ligamentous movement
55
while in the closed position
62
-A nor in the opened position
62
-B as shown in FIG.
3
.
FIG.
3
and
FIG. 4
are taught conceptually together wherein
FIG. 3
is top view of a door closer device
10
and contingent door
62
shown in three positions: a closed position
62
-A; an opened position
62
-B; and a dampened position
62
-C. Note that the checking mechanism
22
is engaged to hold the door and the inward force
11
-B at the opened position
62
-B. The door closer device
10
functions as the biasing means
11
permits extension of the rod
16
away from the body
12
with an increasing outward force
11
-A, such as when a person moves the door
62
from the closed position
62
-A towards the opened position
62
-B. A decreasingly inward force
11
-B controlled by the device
10
urges the rod
16
to retract into the body
12
. The assembly
50
normally operates zero actuation as to not affect nor assist the biasing means I
1
either towards any closed position
62
-A, or, towards any opened position
62
-B during the entire normal operation for the device
10
.
FIG. 4
illustrates the simplistic ligamentous movement
55
of the spring assembly
50
. To cause the spring
54
to actuate towards the dampened position
62
-C, from the opened position
62
-B the door must forcefully urged towards the closed position
62
without first disengaging said mechanism
22
. Responsively, the assembly
50
and the spring
54
detect that the rod
16
has exceeded the normal operation for said device
10
to create the infamous excessive inward forces
11
-B. The ligamentous movement
55
comprises a normally increasing actuation permitting the door
62
from any opened position
62
-B towards any closed position
62
-A, without any substantial cause or movement to the rod
16
. Responsively, the assembly
50
also provides a decreasing actuation for reciprocatively causing the door
62
again towards the previous opened position
62
-B as determined by the engaged mechanism
22
. Herein, the assembly
50
actuates to dampen, protect, and compensate the device
10
from the excessive inward force
11
-B, the return said device
10
to its normal operation as defined by the art.
Industrial Applicability
The preferred embodiments of these inventions improve reciprocative devices including the common door closer device. The disclosed invention comprises a spring assembly adapted to protect the complete door and door closer device from excessive inward forces, and to compensate for a substantially tempered and hardened checking mechanism. With certain devices, the assembly may be incorporated on the piston rod. The invention may be installed onto various other reciprocative devices that do not comprise superior checking mechanisms. These devices comprise a limited life due which may now be extended by the invention. Other benefactor devices may include automotive lift supports. When combining the invention with other related inventions, a superior reciprocative door closer device is obviously created.
The particular embodiments of the present invention which have been illustrated and discussed herein are for illustrative purposes only and are not considered as a limitation upon the scope of the appended claims. In these claims set forth it is my intent to claim the entire invention disclosed herein, except as I am limited by the prior art.
Accordingly, the scope of the invention should not be determined only by the embodiments illustrated, but also by the appended claims and their legal equivalents. From the above description of the invention submitted, various changes and modifications and improvements may occur to the apparatus. All such claims are intended to be included therein.
Claims
- 1. A spring assembly (50) adapted to a reciprocative door closer device (10) and contingent door (62); said device (10) comprising normal operation to substantially cause said door (62) towards a closed door position (62-A); said device (10) including a piston rod (16) which functions reciprocatively from within a piston body (12) controlling a biasing means (11), that, upon an applying an external outward biasing force (11-A) comprising normally increasing actuation for causing said rod (16) and door (62) towards an opened position (62-B), said biasing means (11) acting to counter and control an inward biasing force (11-B) comprising normally decreasing actuation for again causing said rod (16) and door (62) towards the closed position (62-A) said device (10) further including a checking mechanism (22) for engaging and checking said inward force (11-B) and holding said rod (16) and door (62) towards an opened position (62-B); said assembly (50) comprisinga hinge bracket (50-A) joined to a fixated bracket (50-B) and a spring (54) means capable of a ligamentous movement (55) comprising normal operation as substantially inactive and not affecting said biasing means (11), either for any increasingly outward force (11-A) towards the closed position (62-A), or, for any decreasingly inward force (11-B) towards the opened position (62-B), unless, said assembly (50) detects said inward force (11-B) as exceeding said device (10) including the excessive inward force (11-B) caused when the rod (16) and door (62) are held in any opened position (62-B) with an engaged checking mechanism (22) and urged towards any closed position (62) without first disengaging said mechanism (22); wherein said assembly (50) responsively compensates said excessive inward force (11-B) conversely without cause to said rod (16), by then providing said ligamentous movement (55) to include am increasing actuation for causing said door (62) towards any closed position (62-A), and, a decreasing actuation for causing said door (62) again towards any opened position (62-B) to dampen, protect, and compensate from said excessive inward force (11-B) and return said device (10) and assembly (50) towards their normal operation.
- 2. An improved reciprocative door closer device (10) for controlling a contingent door (62); said device (10) normally operating to substantially cause said door (62) towards a closed door position (62-A) including a piston rod (16) which functions reciprocatively from within a piston body (12) having a biasing means (11), that, upon al applying an external outward biasing force (11-A) comprising normally increasing actuation for causing said rod (16) and door (62) towards an opened position (62-B), said biasing means (11) acting to counter and control an inward biasing force (11-B) comprising normally decreasing actuation for again causing said rod (16) and door (62) towards the closed position (62-A); said device (10) further including a checking mechanism (22) or engaging and checking said inward force (11-B) and holding said rod (16) and door (62) towards any opened position (62-B); said device (10) further including a spring assembly (50) comprising a hinge bracket (50-A) joined to a fixated bracket (50-B) and a spring means (54) opting a ligamentous movement (55) to dampen, protect, and compensate said device from excessive inward force (11-B) comprisingsaid ligamentous movement (55) providing normal operation to actuate substantial zero force as to not positively contribute affecting said biasing means (11) either for any increasingly outward force (11-A) towards the closed position (62-A), or, for any decreasingly inward force (11-B) towards the opened position (62-B), unless, said assembly (50) detects that said inward force (11-B) has exceeded said device (10), including The excessive inward form (11-B) caused when the rod (16) and door (62) are held in any opened position (62-B) with an engaged checking mechanism (22) and urged towards any closed position (62) without first disengaging said mechanism (22); wherein said assembly (50) responsively compensates said excessive inward force (11-B) conversely without cause to said rod (16) providing said ligamentous movement (55) to include an increasing actuation for causing said door (62) towards any closed position (62-A), and, a decreasing actuation for causing said door (62) again towards any opened position (62-B) to return said device (10) and door (62) towards normal operation.
US Referenced Citations (22)
Foreign Referenced Citations (1)
Number |
Date |
Country |
623038 |
Apr 1961 |
CA |