Claims
- 1. An overhead door closer for at least closing a door, said overhead door closer comprising:
- a housing having a longitudinal axis;
- said housing comprising a chamber disposed within said housing;
- said chamber being configured to contain a fluid;
- a piston;
- said piston being configured and disposed to move axially in said housing;
- said piston being disposed in said housing to divide said chamber into a first chamber and a second chamber;
- said piston comprising an arrangement to permit passage of fluid between said first chamber and said second chamber;
- said piston comprising a first end and a second end;
- said first end of said piston being disposed opposite said second end of said piston;
- said piston comprising a single, one-piece, integral, unitary structure;
- said single, one-piece, integral, unitary structure comprising a first portion and a second portion;
- said first portion of said single, one-piece, integral, unitary structure being disposed at said first end of said piston;
- said first portion of said single, one-piece, integral, unitary structure being disposed adjacent to said first chamber;
- said second portion of said single, one-piece, integral, unitary structure being disposed at said second end of said piston;
- said second portion of said single, one-piece, integral, unitary structure being disposed adjacent to said second chamber;
- a spring arrangement;
- said spring arrangement being disposed in said second chamber;
- said spring arrangement being disposed to provide a force upon said second portion of said single, one-piece, integral, unitary structure;
- a shaft;
- said shaft having a rotational axis substantially transverse to the longitudinal axis;
- said shaft being configured and disposed to be operatively connected to said single, one-piece, integral, unitary structure,
- said single, one-piece, integral, unitary structure comprising a third portion, said third portion being disposed between said first portion and said second portion;
- said third portion being configured and disposed to receive said shaft;
- said shaft being disposed between said first portion of said single, one-piece, integral, unitary structure and said second portion of said single, one-piece, integral, unitary structure;
- said shaft being configured to rotate in a first direction upon opening a door;
- said shaft being configured to rotate in a second direction upon closing a door;
- said shaft comprising a cam arrangement;
- said cam arrangement being configured and disposed to move said single, one-piece, integral, unitary structure axially in said housing upon rotation of said shaft in the first direction;
- said first end of said piston comprising a first roller;
- said first roller being configured and disposed to contact said cam arrangement upon said rotation of said shaft in the second direction;
- said first roller being operatively connected to said first portion of said single, one-piece, integral, unitary structure to move with said single, one-piece, integral, unitary structure;
- said first roller having a rotational axis;
- the rotational axis of said first roller being substantially transverse to the longitudinal axis;
- the rotational axis of said first roller being substantially parallel to the rotational axis of said shaft;
- said second end of said piston comprising at least one second roller;
- said at least one second roller being configured and disposed to contact said cam arrangement upon rotation of said shaft in the first direction;
- said at least one second roller being operatively connected to said second portion of said single, one-piece, integral, unitary structure to move with said single, one-piece, integral, unitary structure;
- said at least one second roller having a rotational axis;
- the rotational axis of said at least one second roller being substantially transverse to the longitudinal axis;
- the rotational axis of said at least one second roller being substantially parallel to the rotational axis of said shaft;
- said spring arrangement being configured to move said single, one-piece, integral, unitary structure and rotate said shaft in the second direction to close a door;
- at least a portion of said shaft extending from said housing;
- an arm to connect said shaft to a door;
- said arm comprising a first end and a second end;
- said second end of said arm being disposed opposite to said first end of said arm;
- said first end of said arm being connected to said at least a portion of said shaft; and
- said second end of said arm comprising a slide mechanism to be disposed in a guide rail of a door.
- 2. The overhead door closer according to claim 1, wherein:
- said third portion of said single, one-piece, integral, unitary structure comprises a recess; and
- said recess is configured and disposed to receive both said shaft and said cam arrangement.
- 3. The overhead door closer according to claim 2, wherein:
- said second portion of said single, one-piece, integral, unitary structure comprises a boring;
- said boring is disposed about the longitudinal axis;
- said boring is disposed adjacent to said spring arrangement;
- said second end of said piston comprises a member;
- said member is disposed in said boring; and
- said at least one second roller is disposed in said member.
- 4. The overhead door closer according to claim 3, wherein:
- said second end of said piston comprises a pin;
- at least a portion of said pin is disposed in said member; and
- said pin is configured and disposed to rotationally mount said at least one second roller in said member.
- 5. The overhead door closer according to claim 4, wherein:
- said at least a portion of said pin comprises a portion of said pin;
- said portion of said pin is configured and disposed to be frictionally held in said member by an interference fit;
- said boring is a first boring;
- said second portion of said single, one-piece, integral, unitary structure comprises a second boring;
- said pin is configured and disposed to extend from said member into said second boring; and
- said second boring is configured and disposed to provide a clearance between said second boring and said pin.
- 6. The overhead door closer according to claim 5, wherein:
- said first roller is disposed in said first portion of said single, one-piece, integral, unitary structure;
- said pin is a first pin;
- said first end of said piston comprises a second pin;
- said second pin is disposed in said first portion of said single, one-piece, integral, unitary structure; and
- said second pin is configured and disposed to rotationally mount said first roller in said first portion of said single, one-piece, integral, unitary structure.
- 7. The overhead door closer according to claim 6, wherein:
- said first portion of said single, one-piece, integral, unitary structure comprises a third boring;
- said second pin is disposed in said third boring to mount said first roller in said first portion of said single, one-piece, integral, unitary structure;
- said first pin and said second pin each having a first end and a second end; and
- at least one of said first end and said second end of each of said first pin and said second pin comprises an end cap.
- 8. The overhead door closer according to claim 7, wherein said single, one-piece, integral, unitary structure comprises means to prevent unintentional rotation with respect to said cam arrangement.
- 9. The overhead door closer according to claim 8, wherein:
- said means to prevent unintentional rotation comprises at least one plate;
- said at least one plate is disposed at least one of above and below said cam arrangement; and
- said at least one plate is configured and disposed to limit rotation of said single, one-piece, integral, unitary structure with respect to said cam arrangement.
- 10. The overhead door closer according to claim 9, wherein:
- said arrangement to permit passage of fluid comprises a non-return pressure relief valve; and
- said non-return pressure relief valve is disposed in said first portion of said single, one-piece, integral, unitary structure.
- 11. The overhead door closer according to claim 10, wherein:
- said single, one-piece, integral, unitary structure comprises a light alloy metal;
- said single, one-piece, integral, unitary structure is a cast part;
- said member comprises one of steel, plastic and aluminum;
- said cam arrangement is non-rotatably connected to said shaft;
- said cam arrangement is disposed along the longitudinal axis;
- said housing comprises a first end and a second end;
- said first end of said housing is disposed adjacent to said first chamber;
- said second end of said housing is disposed adjacent to said second chamber;
- said first end of said housing comprises a first cap to seal said first end of said housing;
- said second end of said housing comprises a second cap to seal said second end of said housing;
- said housing comprises an opening;
- said opening of said housing is configured and disposed to permit said at least a portion of said shaft to extend from said housing;
- said overhead door closer comprises a third cap to seal said opening of housing;
- said first roller is disposed along the longitudinal axis;
- said first roller comprises a first bearing to mount said first roller on said second pin;
- said at least one second roller is disposed along the longitudinal axis;
- said at least one second roller comprises a second bearing to mount said at least one second roller on said first pin;
- said shaft comprises a first end and a second end;
- said first end of said shaft is disposed opposite to said second end of said shaft;
- said second end of said shaft is disposed adjacent to said at least a portion of said shaft;
- said piston comprises a third bearing to guide said first end of said shaft;
- said third cap comprises a fourth bearing to guide said second end of said shaft;
- said spring arrangement comprises a compression spring;
- said member comprises an extension; and
- said extension of said member is configured and disposed to permit mounting of said compression spring with respect to said member.
- 12. A door closer comprising:
- a housing having a longitudinal axis;
- said housing comprising a chamber disposed within said housing;
- said chamber being configured to contain a fluid;
- a piston;
- said piston being configured and disposed to move axially in said housing;
- said piston being disposed in said housing to divide said chamber into a first chamber and a second chamber;
- an arrangement to permit passage of fluid between said first chamber and said second chamber;
- said piston comprising a first end and a second end;
- said first end of said piston being disposed opposite said second end of said piston;
- said piston comprising a single, one-piece, integral, unitary structure;
- said single, one-piece, integral, unitary structure comprising a first portion and a second portion;
- said first portion of said single, one-piece, integral, unitary structure being disposed in said first end of said piston;
- said first portion of said single, one-piece, integral, unitary structure being disposed adjacent to said first chamber;
- said second portion of said single, one-piece, integral, unitary structure being disposed in said second end of said piston;
- said second portion of said single, one-piece, integral, unitary structure being disposed adjacent to said second chamber;
- a spring arrangement;
- said spring arrangement being disposed in said second chamber;
- said spring arrangement being disposed to provide a force upon said second portion of said single, one-piece, integral, unitary structure;
- a shaft to provide for opening and closing a door;
- said shaft being configured and disposed to be operatively connected to said single, one-piece, integral, unitary structure;
- said single, one-piece, integral, unitary structure comprising a third portion, said third portion being disposed between said first portion and said second portion;
- said third portion being configured and disposed to receive said shaft;
- said shaft being disposed between said first portion of said single, one-piece, integral, unitary structure and said second portion of said single, one-piece, integral, unitary structure;
- said shaft comprising a cam arrangement;
- said cam arrangement being configured and disposed to move said single, one-piece, integral, unitary structure axially in said housing upon rotation of said shaft;
- a first structure being connected to said first portion of said single, one-piece, integral, unitary structure;
- said first structure being configured and disposed to contact said cam arrangement;
- a second structure being connected to said second portion of said single, one-piece, integral, unitary structure;
- said second structure being configured and disposed to contact said cam arrangement;
- said spring arrangement being configured and disposed to move said single, one-piece, integral, unitary structure and to rotate said shaft;
- at least a portion of said shaft extending from said housing; and
- structure to connect said at least extending portion of said shaft to a door.
- 13. The door closer according to claim 12, wherein:
- said third portion of said single, one-piece, integral, unitary structure comprises a recess; and
- said recess is configured and disposed to receive said shaft and said cam arrangement.
- 14. The overhead door closer according to claim 13, wherein said single, one-piece, integral, unitary structure comprises means to prevent unintentional rotation with respect to said cam arrangement.
- 15. The door closer according to claim 14, wherein:
- said means to prevent unintentional rotation comprises at least one plate;
- said at least one plate is disposed at least one of above and below said cam arrangement; and
- said at least one plate is configured and disposed to limit rotation of said single, one-piece, integral, unitary structure with respect to said cam arrangement.
- 16. The door closer according to claim 15, wherein:
- said second portion of said single, one-piece, integral, unitary structure comprises a boring;
- said boring is disposed about the longitudinal axis;
- said boring is disposed adjacent to said spring arrangement;
- said second end of said piston comprises a member;
- said member is disposed in said boring;
- said spring arrangement comprises a compression spring;
- said member comprises an extension; and
- said extension of said member is configured and disposed to permit mounting of said compression spring on said member.
- 17. The door closer according to claim 16, wherein:
- said second structure is disposed in said member;
- said arrangement to permit passage of fluid comprises a non-return and pressure relief valve;
- said non-return and pressure relief valve is disposed in said first portion of said single, one-piece, integral, unitary structure; and
- said cam arrangement is non-rotatably connected to said shaft.
- 18. The door closer according to claim 17, wherein:
- said single, one-piece, integral, unitary structure comprises a light alloy metal;
- said single, one-piece, integral, unitary structure is a cast part; and
- said member comprises one of steel, plastic and aluminum.
- 19. The door closer according to claim 18, wherein:
- said shaft has a rotational axis substantially transverse to the longitudinal axis;
- said first structure comprises a first roller;
- said first roller is configured and disposed to contact said cam arrangement upon rotation of said shaft;
- said first roller is disposed along the longitudinal axis;
- said first roller has a rotational axis;
- the rotational axis of said first roller is substantially transverse to the longitudinal axis;
- the rotational axis of said first roller is substantially parallel to the rotational axis of said shaft;
- said second structure comprises at least one second roller;
- said at least one second roller is configured and disposed to contact said cam arrangement upon rotation of said shaft;
- said at least one second roller is disposed along the longitudinal axis;
- said at least one second roller has a rotational axis;
- the rotational axis of said at least one second roller is substantially transverse to the longitudinal axis; and
- the rotational axis of said at least one second roller is substantially parallel to the rotational axis of said shaft.
- 20. The door closer according to claim 19, wherein:
- said first roller is disposed in said first portion of said single, one-piece, integral, unitary structure;
- said first end of said piston comprises a first pin;
- said first pin is disposed in said first portion of said single, one-piece, integral, unitary structure;
- said first pin is configured and disposed to rotationally mount said first roller in said first portion of said single, one-piece, integral, unitary structure;
- said first roller comprises a first bearing to mount said first roller on said first pin;
- said boring is a first boring;
- said first portion of said single, one-piece, integral, unitary structure comprises a second boring;
- said first pin is disposed in said second boring to mount said first roller in said first portion of said single, one-piece, integral, unitary structure;
- said second end of said piston comprises a second pin;
- at least a portion of said second pin is disposed in said member;
- said second pin is configured and disposed to rotationally mount said at least one second roller in said member;
- said at least a portion of said second pin is configured and disposed to be frictionally held in said member by an interference fit;
- said second portion of said single, one-piece, integral, unitary structure comprises a third boring;
- said second pin is configured and disposed to extend from said member into said third boring;
- said third boring is configured to provide a clearance between said second boring and said second pin;
- said at least one second roller comprises a second bearing to mount said at least one second roller on said second pin;
- said first pin and said second pin each having a first end and a second end;
- at least one of said first end and said second end of each of said first pin and said second pin comprises an end cap;
- said cam arrangement is disposed along the longitudinal axis;
- said housing comprises a first end and a second end;
- said first end of said housing is disposed adjacent to said first chamber;
- said second end of said housing is disposed adjacent to said second chamber;
- said first end of said housing comprises a first cap to seal said first end of said housing;
- said second end of said housing comprises a second cap to seal said second end of said housing;
- said housing comprises an opening;
- said opening of said housing is configured and disposed to permit said at least extending portion of said shaft to extend from said housing;
- said door closer comprises a third cap to seal said opening of housing;
- said shaft comprises a first end and a second end;
- said second end of said shaft is disposed adjacent to said at least extending portion of said shaft;
- said first end of said shaft is disposed opposite to said second end of said shaft;
- said piston comprises a third bearing to guide said first end of said shaft; and
- said third cap comprises a fourth bearing to guide said second end of said shaft.
Priority Claims (1)
Number |
Date |
Country |
Kind |
196 03 186 |
Jan 1996 |
DEX |
|
Parent Case Info
This application is a CIP of PCT/DE97/00122, filed Jan. 24, 1997.
US Referenced Citations (3)
Foreign Referenced Citations (4)
Number |
Date |
Country |
3411189 |
Oct 1985 |
DEX |
4041824 |
Jun 1992 |
DEX |
4038720 |
Jun 1992 |
DEX |
9413039 |
Jun 1995 |
DEX |
Continuation in Parts (1)
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Number |
Date |
Country |
Parent |
PCTDE9700122 |
Jan 1997 |
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