AU712459B2

AU712459B2 - A closure member restraining device

Info

Publication number: AU712459B2
Application number: AU30213/95A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Hermanus Johannes Richard Lemmer
Original assignee: Vector Designs Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Vector Designs Pty Ltd
Priority date: 1995-08-23
Filing date: 1995-08-23
Publication date: 1999-11-04
Anticipated expiration: 2015-08-23
Also published as: AU3021395A

Description

S F Ref: 311444

AUSTRALIA

PATENTS ACT 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR A STANDARD PATENT

ORIGINAL

.00.

0 00 Name and Address of Applicant: IIormnic lnh.innrct Pi-h-Ard li mmr F 1VL- O1 sc~u-f-4 Ar-Rci johannes jacobus Lcmmer Sherc Holdigs -Pfetei- SOUTH- AFRICA- Actual Inventor(s): Address for Service: Hermanus Johannes Richard Lemmer Spruson Ferguson, Patent Attorneys Level 33 St Martins Tower, 31 Market Street Sydney, New South Wales, 2000, Australia A Closure Member Restraining Device Invention Title: The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me/us:- 84 -2- BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to a restraining device which keeps a closure member, such as a door, in an open position.

Existing restraining devices of this kind have various drawbacks. For example, a retaining device for keeping a door or like closure member equipped with a lever-type handle in an open position is described in South Aflican Patent No 75/7715. This device has a hook-shaped catch which is mountable on a wall adjacent the door and which engages the handle of the door when the door is opened fUiy, thereby retaining the door in the open BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to a restraining device which keeps a closure member, such as a door, in an open position.

Existing restraining devices of this kind have various drawbacks. For 5 example, a retaining device for keeping a door or like closure member equipped with a lever-type handle in an open position is described in South African Patent No 75/7715. This device has a hook-shaped catch which is mountable on a wall adjacent the door and which engages the handle of the door when the door is opened fully, thereby retaining the door in the open M -3 position. However, the device cannot be adjusted to suit different handles and doors.

Another device for retaining a door in an open position is described in Swedish Patent No 7902024-4. This device comprises a spring loaded which acts as a door stop, and a catch which is pivotally mouned alongside the bumper and which can be manually swung downwards into a position where it engages the handle of the door so that the handle is held :between the bumper and the catch. To disengage the catch, it must again be swung manually away from the handle. The manual engagement and V0 disengagement of the catch is awkward. Also, if the catch is inadvertently left in- its downward position, extending beyond the bumper, it obstructs the bumper, thereby rendering it unable to cushion the impact of the door handle against the catch when the door is swung open again.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the invention a device for restraining a closure member having a handle formation thereon comprisesa body mountable on a support surface adjacent the closure member; a buffer extending from the body and serving to stop the closure member at a predetermined distance from the support surface when )0 it is opened; and 1- 4 a catch engagable with a handle formation on the closure member, the buffer or the catch or both being movable to pre-set their relative positions so that when the closure member is opened, the handle formation is engaged automatically by the catch and the buffer abuts the opened W closure member irrespective of the distance between the handle formation and the closure member.

99 9 The body preferably defines a buffer housing which within the buffer is movable.

The buffer is preferably movable relative to the buffer housing by coaxial tO sliding or screw movement.

The buffer housing is preferably a cylindrical housing with a tubular sidewall.

The buffer is preferably elongate, and may be a hollow arm at least part of S".i which may be internally screw threaded, and the buffer housing may have 1 a central, complerentally externally screw threaded pillar extending therethrough over which the hollow buffer arm can be screwed to move it into and out of the buffer housing.

Alternatively, the buffer may be an elongate arm at least part of which may be externally screw threaded and the sidewall of the buffer housing may be io complementally internally screw threaded so that the buffer arm can be screwed into and out of the buffer housing.

5 Instead, the sidewall of the buffer housing may be smooth, and the buffer arm is then slidable into and out of the buffer housing, with a fastener being provided to fix the buffer arm in place.

Further alternatively, the buffer may be fixed relative to the body and the catch may be movable relative to the buffer and to the body on a sleeve surrounding the buffer.

The body preferably defines a mounting base, at an opposed side thereof to the buffer housing, for mounting the device on the support surface.

0 Alternatively, or in conjunction with the above, theibuffer may be biased, for example spring biased, away from the mounting base.

The catch is preferably located intermediate the mounting base and the Sbuffer.

The handle formation may be a lever extending from a lever-type handle and which is biased into a rest position, in which case the catch is preferably i fixed radially relative to the body and it preferably defines a first cam surface, which, on contact with the lever, urges the lever from its rest position, and a second restraining surface which retains the lever once it has ridden over the catch and returned to its rest position.

The handle formation may be a knob extending from a knob-type handle, in which case the catch is preferably movable radially relative to the body and it preferably defines a first cam surface which, on contact with the knob, moves radially towards the body from its rest position, and a second, 6 restraining surface which retains the knob once it has ridden over the catch and the catch has returned to its rest position.

The catch may be generally conical in shape and is preferably offset with respect to the longitudinal axis of the buffer so that the cam surface of the Scatch presents an oblique su rface to the handle formation. Preferably, the restraining surface of the catch presents a substantially vertical surface to the handle formation so that the handle formation is both easily retained and :easily, disengaged from the catch by merely turning the handle formation from its rest position and without having to manipulate the device itself The body is preferably also generally conical, tapering towards the buffer housing.

Preferably, at least a portion of the mounting base is planar and at least one aperture is prefcrably defined in the planar portion of the mounting base through which a fastener can be passed to mount the device on the support surface.

A firt, exposed end of the buffer is preferably tipped with a resilient material to cushion the impact of an opened closure member against it.

The periphery of the mounting base is preferably also encased in a resilient material to cushion the impact of the device against the support surface on which it is mounted when a closure member impacts against the buffer.

-7- BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention will now be described in more detail, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a pictorial view of one embodiment of the closure member restraining device of the invention; Figure 2 is a sectional side view on 2-2 in Figure 1; figure 3 is a front view of the device of Figure 1; Figure 4 is a side view of the device of Figure I; Figure 5 is a side view of another embodiment of the closure member restraining device of the invention; Figure 6 is a sectional side view on 6-6 in Figure Figure 7 is a pictorial view of yet another embodiment of the closure member restraining device of the invention; Figure 8 is a sectional side view on 8-8 in Figure 7; and Figure 9 is a side view of yet another embodiment of the closure member restraining device of the invention.

-8 DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED

EMBODIMENTS

The closure member restraining devices, or "door stops", of the invention serve to stop closure members, such as doors, a pre-determined distance from an adjacent wall before the door slams into the wall. At the same time, a handle formation on the door is engaged automatically by a catch on the S device to restrain the door from slamming shut again. This prevents damage to both the adjacent wall and to the door.

Some embodiments of the invention are intended for use with lever-type door handles which are biased into a rest position by an internal spring mechanism or the like. Other embodiments cater for knob-type handles or other fixed handles.

One embodiment of the closure member restraining device of the invention, referred to as the device 10, is illustrated in Figures I to 4. It has a moulded plastics body 12, a moulded plastics buffer 14 extending outwardly from the body 12 and an integrally moulded catch 16 extending downwardly from the body 12.

As can be seen in Figures 1 to 4, the body 12 defines a central, cylindrical buffer housing with a tubular sidewall 20, which is closed at one end 24, and open at the opposite end 25. The rear portion of the body comprises an integral conical skirt 22, which extends backwardly from approximately the nmiddle of the sidewall 20 of the buffer housing and ends in a circular peripheral rim 31, so that the body has a planar, disc-shaped mounting base 18.

9- An integral central pillar 26, shown in Figure 2, extends from the mounting base 18 into the buffer housing, coaxially therewith. The pillar 26 is externally screw threaded, as shown at 27.

The buffer 14 is a hollow, elongate arm. It is sized to fit snugly within the sidewall 20 of the buffer housing so that it does not rattle around within the buffer housing and yet is able to be moved into and out of the buffer housing with relative ease. Tt is internally screw threaded, as shown at in Figure 2, anid its internal screw thread 30 is complemental with the :5::external screw thread 27 of the pillar 26. Thus, the buffer arm 14 can be moved linearly by screwing it into and out of the buffer housing. This screw threaded arrangement ensures that the buffer arm 14 is held rigidly wihnthe buffer housing an low o reaonably fieadjustment o h extent to which the buffer arm 14 extends from the buffer housing. This in turn determines the overall length of the device 10 and thus the distance from an adjacent wall at which an opened door is stopped.

The buffer arm 14, at its exposed end 32, is tipped with a cap 34 of resilient elastomeric material, such as rubber or plastic. This cushions the impact of the opened door against the buffer arm 14 and prevents it from indenting or otherwise damaging the door. The cap 34 is either adhered or press fitted to the end 32 of the buffer arm 14. The whole buffer arm 14 may be made from, the same or a simiflar resilient material of suitable stiffness, The catch 16 is solid and is moulded integrally with the sidewall, 20 of the buffer housing. It is offset with respect to the longitudinal axis of the buffer housing and when the device 10 is mounted in position, it extends downwardly from the buffer housing at a position intermediate the exposed end of the buffer arn 14 and the mounting base 18. Being integrally mnoulded and solid, it cannot move radially or axially relative to the buffer housing- The shape of the catch, which may be described as generally conical, is important. It has a first, cam surface 17 which faces the handle of an opening door, and a second, opposed substantially vertical restraining surface a 19. The cam surface 17 is angled obliquely relative to the longitudinal axis of the buffer arm and away from an approaching handle, and thus the lever *of a le ver-type handle (not shown) will ride against the cam surface and be depressed automatically, from its rest position, by the cam surface 17 as the door mhoves towards the device 10. Once the lever has ridden over the rounded bottom point I 6a of the catch 16, it return to its rest position under aa the urging of its own spring mechanism and is retained against the restraining surface 19. By depressing the lever manually, it can be freed from the catch 16 and the door swung back into a closed position. Thus, the lever can be engaged and restrained by the catch 16 and then released from the catch 16 without the need to manipulate the device 10 itself at all- It is merely necessary to grasp the handle on the other side of the door and to tamn it as though opening the door normally.

A recess 36 is farmed in the skirt 22 adjacent the restraining surface 19 of the catch 16. It is dimensioned to receive the lever, or other relevant part of the door handle, which is restrained behind the catch 16.

The distance X between the restraining surface 19 of the catch 16 and the tip 34 of the buffer anm 14 can be varied by screwing the buffer arm 14 into or out of the buffer housU1g depending on whether the distance X is to be decreased or increased. This allows for variations in the dimensions of different lever-type handles and ensures that once the lever of a particular door is engaged by the catch 16, the buffer arm 14 abuts the open door, irrespective of the distance between the lever and the face of the door. This substantially limits rattling of the lever within the recess 36 while ensuring that the buffer does not stop the door before the catch 16 has engaged the lever. In this way, a variety of different types of door handle can be catered for.

Although a locking screw or the like can be provided to lock the buffer arm its preset position, the friction between the inner and outer surfaces of the arm and the corresponding portions of the body will normally be sufficient to prevenit unwanted rotation of the arm, particularly when the screw thread thereon has a relatively shallow pitch.

Anaperture 27 is formedL centrally in the closed end 24i of the buffer housing. The device 10 is mounted against the relevant adjoining or adjacent wall by passing a screw or nail through this aperture 27 and into the adjoining wall. Access to this aperture 27 is gained by completely unscrewing the buffer arm 14 and by removing it from the buffer housing- It is returned once the mounting base 18 is attached to the adjoining wall and it conceals the screw.

A flat, resilient disc 28 made of rubber with a peripheral upstanding lip 29 is fitted to the rim 31 at the periphery of the skirt 22. The rubber disc 28 cushions the impact of the mounting base 18 and the rim 31 on the wall when an opened door impacts the buffer arm 14. An aperture 27a corresponding to the aperture 27 in the mounting base 18 is formed through 12 the rubber disc 28 to allow the screw or nail to pass through.

Another embodiment of the device is shown in Figures 5 and 6. In this device, referred to as the device 40, there is no internal central pillar extending into the buffer housing. Instead, the sidewall 20 of the buffer housing itself is internally screw threaded at 42 and the buffer arm 14 is complementally externally screw threaded at 44 so that the buffer arm 14 can be screwed into and out of thc buffer housing. A grub or locking screw 46 extends through an aperture 48 In the sidewall 20 of the buffer housing and it can be turned into the buffer housing to screw into or against the *.**buffer arm 14 to assist in locking it in a pre-determninedj position within the buffer housing- The only disadvantage of this version of the device is that the screw thread 44 is visible in use, which might be considered aesthetically undesirable.

Another embodiment of the device is shown in Figures 7 and 8. In this 9**cdevice, referred to as the device 50, there Is also no central pillar extending into the buffer housing, nor are the buffer arm 14 and the sidewall 20 of the buffer housing threaded. Instead, the buffer armn 14 is merely slidable into and out of the buffer housing. It is held in a predetermined position by a grub screw 46, which passes through an aperture 48 defined in the sidewall of the buffer housing, and which screws into or against the buffer arm 14. This type of device is suitable for use in conjunction with lighter doors, such as those made of hard board or similar material which will impact the buffer arm 14 with less force thian for example a solid wooden door.

Another embodiment of the device, referred to as the device 60, is shown in ]'TU7 -13- Figure 9. In the device 60, there is no buffer housing anid the skirt 22 and buffer arm 14 are formed integrally. The buffer arm 14 is thus nonadjustable. The catch 16 is formed integrally with a sleeve 62 which is slidable coaxially along the buffer arm 14. A grub screw 46 passes through, an aperture in the wall of the sleeve 62. Thus, when the screw 46 is screwed into or against the buffer arm 14, it fixes the sleeve 62 in a predetermined position on the buffer arm 14 arid prevents both linear and rotational movement of the sleeve 62 about the buffer arm 14.

In yet another embodiment of the invention, which is not illustrated, the device includes a catch which is movable radially relative to the longitudinal axis of the device. It may bc spring mounted, and thus movable into a recess defined in the sidewall 20 of the buffer housing, or it may be :comprcssible- It also has an oblique can surface and a substantially vertical opposed restraining surface. This device is suitable for use with doors which have knob-type handles or other non-pivoting attached to them- As the knob-type handle of an opened door approaches the catch and contacts the cam surface, the catch will either move into the recess or be compressed by the knob. The catch will then return to its rest position once the knob has ridden over it.

The devices of the invention, being moulded from a tough plastics material, are cheap to manufacture. They are also light and can therefore be mounted easily onto a support surface. They can also be moulded in a variety of colours to blend in with the support surface.

The catch design ensures that, without any manipulation of the device, the door handle is engaged automatically as an opened door is swung against the 14 device and there is no need to make a point of remembering to pivot or otherwise manipulate a catch behind the door so that it engages the handle to prevent the door from slamming.

S**

Claims

1. A device for restraining a closure member having a handle formation thereon, the device comprising: a body mountable on a support surface adjacent the closure member; a buffer extending from the body and serving to stop the closure member at a predetermined distance from the support surface when it is opened; and a catch engagable with a handle formation on the closure member, the buffer or the catch or both being movable to pre-set their relative positions to compensate for variations in the distance between the handle formation and the closure member, so that when the closure member is opened towards the support surface, the handle formation is engaged automatically by the catch and the buffer abuts the opened closure member.

2. A closure member restraining device according to claim 1, wherein the body defines a buffer housing within which the buffer is movable.

3. A closure member restraining device according to claim 2, wherein the buffer is movable relative to the buffer housing by coaxial sliding or screw movement.

4. A closure member restraining device according to claim 3, wherein the buffer housing is a cylindrical housing with a tubular sidewall. A closure member restraining device according to claim 4, wherein the buffer is an elongate, hollow arm, at least part of which is internally screw threaded, and the buffer housing has a central, complementally externally screw threaded pillar extending therethrough over which the hollow buffer arm can be screwed to move it into and out of the buffer housing.

6. A closure member restraining device according to claim 4, wherein the buffer is an elongate arm, at least part of which is externally screw threaded, and the sidewall of the buffer housing is complementally internally screw threaded so that the :buffer arm can be screwed into and out of the buffer housing.

7. A closure member restraining device according to claim 4, wherein the buffer is an elongate arm, and wherein the sidewall of the buffer housing is smooth and o: 15 the buffer arm is slidable into and out of the buffer housing. o 8. A closure member restraining device according to claim 7, wherein a fastener extends through the sidewall of the buffer housing to fix the buffer arm in position with the buffer housing.

9. A closure member restraining device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the handle formation is a lever biased *o [R:\LIBLL]08326.doc:vjp 17 into a rest position, and wherein the catch is fixed radially relative to the body and defines a first camn surface, which, on contact with the lever, urges the lever -from its rest Position, and a second restraining surface which retains the lever once it has ridden over the catch and retured to its rest position. 4, 610. A closure member restraining device according to any one of claims 1 to 8. wherein the handle formation is a knob and wherein the :catch is movable radially relative to the body and defines a first camn surface which, on contact with the knob, moves radially :'..towards the body from a rest poiin and a seon, esranng surface which retains the knob once it has ridden over the catch and the catch has returned to its rest position.

12. A closure member restraining device according to claim 1, wherein the buffer is fixed relative to the body and the catch ismval is ovbl relative to the buffer and to the body.

9912. A closure member restraining device according to claim 11, which also comprises a sleeve which surrounds the buffer and which is movable coaxially along it, the sleeve bearing the catch, 13- A closure member restraining device according to any one of the Preceding claims, wherein the first camn surface is obliquely angled relative to the longitudinal axis of the buffer. 14. A closure member restraining device according to any one of claims to 13, wherein the catch is offset with respect to the longitudinal 118 18 axis of the buffer. A closure member restraining device according to any one of claims 3 to 14, wherein the body defines a mounting base, at an opposed side thereof to the buffer housing, for mounting the device on the support surface. 16. A closure member restraining device according to claim 15, wherein at least a portion of the mounting base is planar and at least one aperture is defined in the planar portion of the mounting base through which a fastener can be passed to mount the device on the support surface. 0 17. A closure member restraining device according to claim 15 or claim 16, wherein the catch is located intermediate the mounting base and the buffer. 0 0 18. A closure member restraining device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a first, exposed end of the buffer is tipped with a resilient material to cushion the impact of an opened closure member against it. 19. A closure member restraining device substantially as herein described with reference to the illustrated embodiments. DATED this ELEVENTH day of AUGUST 1995 Hcrm.an u Jhannes Richard Lcmer m -r Johanncs Jacobus Lese- nr V.C/ToR b<S'GNS ((CsOPftARYt4 L.I 'M Patent Attorneys for the Applicants SPRUSON FERGUSON