CA2369705A1 - Plug with abutment flange for abutting spring tail of corresponding torsion spring - Google Patents
Plug with abutment flange for abutting spring tail of corresponding torsion spring Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2369705A1 CA2369705A1 CA 2369705 CA2369705A CA2369705A1 CA 2369705 A1 CA2369705 A1 CA 2369705A1 CA 2369705 CA2369705 CA 2369705 CA 2369705 A CA2369705 A CA 2369705A CA 2369705 A1 CA2369705 A1 CA 2369705A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- plug
- spring
- torsion spring
- winding
- abutment flange
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Classifications
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E05—LOCKS; KEYS; WINDOW OR DOOR FITTINGS; SAFES
- E05D—HINGES OR SUSPENSION DEVICES FOR DOORS, WINDOWS OR WINGS
- E05D13/00—Accessories for sliding or lifting wings, e.g. pulleys, safety catches
- E05D13/10—Counterbalance devices
- E05D13/12—Counterbalance devices with springs
- E05D13/1253—Counterbalance devices with springs with canted-coil torsion springs
- E05D13/1261—Counterbalance devices with springs with canted-coil torsion springs specially adapted for overhead wings
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16F—SPRINGS; SHOCK-ABSORBERS; MEANS FOR DAMPING VIBRATION
- F16F1/00—Springs
- F16F1/02—Springs made of steel or other material having low internal friction; Wound, torsion, leaf, cup, ring or the like springs, the material of the spring not being relevant
- F16F1/04—Wound springs
- F16F1/12—Attachments or mountings
- F16F1/123—Attachments or mountings characterised by the ends of the spring being specially adapted, e.g. to form an eye for engagement with a radial insert
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E05—LOCKS; KEYS; WINDOW OR DOOR FITTINGS; SAFES
- E05D—HINGES OR SUSPENSION DEVICES FOR DOORS, WINDOWS OR WINGS
- E05D13/00—Accessories for sliding or lifting wings, e.g. pulleys, safety catches
- E05D13/10—Counterbalance devices
- E05D13/12—Counterbalance devices with springs
- E05D13/1253—Counterbalance devices with springs with canted-coil torsion springs
- E05D13/1269—Spring safety devices
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E05—LOCKS; KEYS; WINDOW OR DOOR FITTINGS; SAFES
- E05Y—INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO HINGES OR OTHER SUSPENSION DEVICES FOR DOORS, WINDOWS OR WINGS AND DEVICES FOR MOVING WINGS INTO OPEN OR CLOSED POSITION, CHECKS FOR WINGS AND WING FITTINGS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, CONCERNED WITH THE FUNCTIONING OF THE WING
- E05Y2900/00—Application of doors, windows, wings or fittings thereof
- E05Y2900/10—Application of doors, windows, wings or fittings thereof for buildings or parts thereof
- E05Y2900/106—Application of doors, windows, wings or fittings thereof for buildings or parts thereof for garages
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16F—SPRINGS; SHOCK-ABSORBERS; MEANS FOR DAMPING VIBRATION
- F16F2236/00—Mode of stressing of basic spring or damper elements or devices incorporating such elements
- F16F2236/08—Torsion
Description
PLUG WITH ABUTMENT FLANGE FOR ABUTTING SPRING TAIL
OF CORRESPONDING TORSION SPRING
Field of the invention The present invention relates to a plug, also known as a "collar" or an "anchor", such as the ones used for operatively connecting torsion springs to overhead shafts of counterbalancing mechanisms used for garage doors and the like, in order to allow a torque transfer between the torsion spring and the overhead shaft so as to counterbalance such cable-operated doors.
Background of the invention It is known in the art that large, vertical, cable-operated doors, such as commercial and residential sectional garage doors, usually require counterbalancing mechanisms to counterbalance the weight of the door in order to decrease the force required to open the door and also facilitate its closing from a raised to a lowered position. Large sectional garage doors used in commercial and residential applications may be manually or power operated. !n either case, but particularly for manually operated doors, counterbalancing mechanisms have been used for many years to counterbalance the weight of the door and control its opening and closing movements so that one person can easily control the operation of the door. Counterbalancing mechanisms are also advantageous for power operated overhead doors since they reduce the power requirements needed for the motor and they lower the structural strength required for the door opening and closing mechanism. In other words, lighter weight, lower cost, door controlling mechanisms may be used if a counterbalancing mechanism is connected to the door to assist it in its opening and closing movements.
Furthermore, the provision of a counterbalancing mechanism minimizes the chance of a rapid and uncontrolled closing of the door in the event of a failure of the door opening and closing mechanism, which can result in serious injury or damage.
OF CORRESPONDING TORSION SPRING
Field of the invention The present invention relates to a plug, also known as a "collar" or an "anchor", such as the ones used for operatively connecting torsion springs to overhead shafts of counterbalancing mechanisms used for garage doors and the like, in order to allow a torque transfer between the torsion spring and the overhead shaft so as to counterbalance such cable-operated doors.
Background of the invention It is known in the art that large, vertical, cable-operated doors, such as commercial and residential sectional garage doors, usually require counterbalancing mechanisms to counterbalance the weight of the door in order to decrease the force required to open the door and also facilitate its closing from a raised to a lowered position. Large sectional garage doors used in commercial and residential applications may be manually or power operated. !n either case, but particularly for manually operated doors, counterbalancing mechanisms have been used for many years to counterbalance the weight of the door and control its opening and closing movements so that one person can easily control the operation of the door. Counterbalancing mechanisms are also advantageous for power operated overhead doors since they reduce the power requirements needed for the motor and they lower the structural strength required for the door opening and closing mechanism. In other words, lighter weight, lower cost, door controlling mechanisms may be used if a counterbalancing mechanism is connected to the door to assist it in its opening and closing movements.
Furthermore, the provision of a counterbalancing mechanism minimizes the chance of a rapid and uncontrolled closing of the door in the event of a failure of the door opening and closing mechanism, which can result in serious injury or damage.
2 It is also known in the art that a widely used type of counterbalancing mechanism generally comprises a pair of spaced apart cable drums connected to flexible cables, each cable being in turn connected to a lower opposite side edge of the garage door. The cable drums are usually mounted on a overhead shaft which is supported above the door opening and is connected to one or more torsion springs which are each fixed to the shaft at one end, and secured to a fixed structure such as the wall for example at the other end, so that the cable drums are biased to rotate in a direction which winds the cables onto the drums and counteracts the weight of the door connected to the cables. The torsion springs are adjusted to properly balance the weight of the door so that minimal opening and closing efforts are required, either manually ~r when motor controlled. An example of a conventional cable-operated door and its corresponding counterbalancing mechanism is shown in Figure 1.
It is also known in the art that conventional, low cost adjustment devices used for the above-mentioned type of counterbalance mechanism, and widely utilized in the garage door industry, are generally cylindrical "collars"
commonly referred to also as "plugs" (also known as "cones", "anchors", etc.) which are connected to the so-called fixed ends of the torsion springs and are thus mounted on the aforementioned shaft for adjusting the deflection of the springs to preset the counterbalance force. Usually, each torsion spring is operatively secured to the wall at one end, by means of a plug known as a "stationary plug", and is fixed to the overhead shaft at the other end, by means of a plug known as a "winding plug". These winding plugs usually include one or more setscrews which lock the collars to the shaft to prevent rotation thereabout except during normal adjustment of the spring deflection. The winding plugs also usually include sockets for receiving winding bars whereby the springs are manually preset, or "preloaded", by rotating the collars with respect to the shaft using the winding bars and then locking the plugs to the shaft with the setscrews. Each plug, whether stationary or winding, may also include a slot onto which a corresponding free end of the torsion spring is hooked on. These slots are usually T-shaped, and are thus commonly
It is also known in the art that conventional, low cost adjustment devices used for the above-mentioned type of counterbalance mechanism, and widely utilized in the garage door industry, are generally cylindrical "collars"
commonly referred to also as "plugs" (also known as "cones", "anchors", etc.) which are connected to the so-called fixed ends of the torsion springs and are thus mounted on the aforementioned shaft for adjusting the deflection of the springs to preset the counterbalance force. Usually, each torsion spring is operatively secured to the wall at one end, by means of a plug known as a "stationary plug", and is fixed to the overhead shaft at the other end, by means of a plug known as a "winding plug". These winding plugs usually include one or more setscrews which lock the collars to the shaft to prevent rotation thereabout except during normal adjustment of the spring deflection. The winding plugs also usually include sockets for receiving winding bars whereby the springs are manually preset, or "preloaded", by rotating the collars with respect to the shaft using the winding bars and then locking the plugs to the shaft with the setscrews. Each plug, whether stationary or winding, may also include a slot onto which a corresponding free end of the torsion spring is hooked on. These slots are usually T-shaped, and are thus commonly
3 known as "T-slots". An example of prior art winding and stationary T-slot plugs are shown in Figures 2 and 3 respectively.
Presently, the T-shape of the slots of the plugs known in the art allows the introduction of the spring's tail without the use of any tool. Once the spring tail is introduced into the T-slot of the collar, both the collar and the spring are then introduced onto a shaft and installed on site, after which the collar is pushed towards the spring and then rotated around the spring axis in order to have the spring tail blocked against a corresponding hooking groove of the T-slot of the plug due to the potential energy present in the torsion spring. The combined effect of these components holds the assembly together without any other accessories.
An important problem associated with the aforementioned type of plug is that once the spring tail of the torsion spring is inserted into the T-slot of the plug for hooking thereon, a user may inadvertently load the torsion spring in the wrong way, i.e. may wind the plug about the overhead shaft in a direction contrary to the natural winding direction of the type of torsion spring being used. This mishap is commonly referred to as "miswinding" or "back winding". For example, when referring to Figure 4, there is shown a perspective view of an unloaded spring wound in an anti-clockwise direction. The spring would be "miswound" or "back wound" if a load would be preset onto the spring by winding a plug connected thereto in a clockwise manner, i.e. against the natural winding direction of the spring.
An adverse consequence of back winding a torsion spring onto an overhead shaft results in the spring tail not hooking on properly onto its corresponding hooking groove of the T-slot of the plug and often causes, after just a few operating cycles, the spring tail to "jump" out of said T-slot, thereby rendering the counterbalancing mechanism inoperable or causing several damages to the components thereof, which may in turn cause personal injuries to people in the vicinity of the counterbalancing mechanism, whether installers or the users of the garage door containing such counterbalancing mechanisms.
Presently, the T-shape of the slots of the plugs known in the art allows the introduction of the spring's tail without the use of any tool. Once the spring tail is introduced into the T-slot of the collar, both the collar and the spring are then introduced onto a shaft and installed on site, after which the collar is pushed towards the spring and then rotated around the spring axis in order to have the spring tail blocked against a corresponding hooking groove of the T-slot of the plug due to the potential energy present in the torsion spring. The combined effect of these components holds the assembly together without any other accessories.
An important problem associated with the aforementioned type of plug is that once the spring tail of the torsion spring is inserted into the T-slot of the plug for hooking thereon, a user may inadvertently load the torsion spring in the wrong way, i.e. may wind the plug about the overhead shaft in a direction contrary to the natural winding direction of the type of torsion spring being used. This mishap is commonly referred to as "miswinding" or "back winding". For example, when referring to Figure 4, there is shown a perspective view of an unloaded spring wound in an anti-clockwise direction. The spring would be "miswound" or "back wound" if a load would be preset onto the spring by winding a plug connected thereto in a clockwise manner, i.e. against the natural winding direction of the spring.
An adverse consequence of back winding a torsion spring onto an overhead shaft results in the spring tail not hooking on properly onto its corresponding hooking groove of the T-slot of the plug and often causes, after just a few operating cycles, the spring tail to "jump" out of said T-slot, thereby rendering the counterbalancing mechanism inoperable or causing several damages to the components thereof, which may in turn cause personal injuries to people in the vicinity of the counterbalancing mechanism, whether installers or the users of the garage door containing such counterbalancing mechanisms.
4 Hence, in light of the aforementioned, there is a need for an improved plug which, by virtue of its design, would be able to prevent a user from inadvertently miswinding a torsion spring thereon. There is also a need for an improved plug which, by virtue of its components, would be able to minimize the above-mentioned adverse effects in the advent of a torsion spring having been miswound.
Summary of the invention The object of the present invention is to provide a "plug", also known as a "collar", an "anchor", or a "cone", which satisfies some of the above-mentioned needs and which is thus an improvement overthe plugs known in the prior art.
In accordance with the present invention, the above object is achieved, as will be easily understood, with a plug such as the one briefly described herein and such as the ones exemplified in the accompanying drawings.
Preferably, the plug according to the present invention can either be a stationary plug or a winding plug.
The objects, advantages and other features of the present invention will become more apparent upon reading of the following non-restrictive description of preferred embodiments thereof, given for the purpose of exemplification only with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Brief description of the drawings Figure 1 is a perspective view of a sectional garage door connected to a counterbalancing mechanism provided with stationary and winding plugs according to the prior art.
Figure 2 is a plan view of one of the winding plugs shown in Figure 1.
Figure 3 is a plan view of one of the stationary plugs shown in Figure 1.
Summary of the invention The object of the present invention is to provide a "plug", also known as a "collar", an "anchor", or a "cone", which satisfies some of the above-mentioned needs and which is thus an improvement overthe plugs known in the prior art.
In accordance with the present invention, the above object is achieved, as will be easily understood, with a plug such as the one briefly described herein and such as the ones exemplified in the accompanying drawings.
Preferably, the plug according to the present invention can either be a stationary plug or a winding plug.
The objects, advantages and other features of the present invention will become more apparent upon reading of the following non-restrictive description of preferred embodiments thereof, given for the purpose of exemplification only with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Brief description of the drawings Figure 1 is a perspective view of a sectional garage door connected to a counterbalancing mechanism provided with stationary and winding plugs according to the prior art.
Figure 2 is a plan view of one of the winding plugs shown in Figure 1.
Figure 3 is a plan view of one of the stationary plugs shown in Figure 1.
5 Figure 4 is a perspective view of a torsion spring according to the prior art.
Figure 5 is a perspective view of the torsion spring of Figure 4 cooperating with a stationary plug according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.
Figure 6 is a perspective view of the stationary plug shown in Figure 5.
Figure 7 is a perspective view of the torsion spring of Figure 4 cooperating with a winding plug according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.
Figure 8 is a perspective view of the winding plug shown in Figure 7.
Figure 9 is a perspective view of a winding plug according to another preferred embodiment of the invention.
Figure 10 is another perspective view of the winding plug shown in Figure 9.
Figure 11 is a perspective view of a winding plug according to yet another preferred embodiment of the invention.
Figure 12 is another perspective view of the winding plug shown in Figure 11.
Figure 13 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A of the assembly shown in Figure 7, the torsion spring being shown in a wound configuration.
Figure 5 is a perspective view of the torsion spring of Figure 4 cooperating with a stationary plug according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.
Figure 6 is a perspective view of the stationary plug shown in Figure 5.
Figure 7 is a perspective view of the torsion spring of Figure 4 cooperating with a winding plug according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.
Figure 8 is a perspective view of the winding plug shown in Figure 7.
Figure 9 is a perspective view of a winding plug according to another preferred embodiment of the invention.
Figure 10 is another perspective view of the winding plug shown in Figure 9.
Figure 11 is a perspective view of a winding plug according to yet another preferred embodiment of the invention.
Figure 12 is another perspective view of the winding plug shown in Figure 11.
Figure 13 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A of the assembly shown in Figure 7, the torsion spring being shown in a wound configuration.
6 Figure 14 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A of the assembly shown in Figure 7, the torsion spring being shown in a back wound configuration.
Detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the invention In the following description, the same numerical references refer to similar elements. The embodiments shown in Figures 5-15 are preferred.
Moreover, although the present invention was primarily designed for use with a counterbalancing mechanism of a garage door, it may be used for counterbalancing mechanisms of other kinds of doors, such as slidable truck doors, or with any other items suspended by a cable, as apparent to a person skilled in the art. For this reason, the expression "garage door" should not be taken as to limit the scope of the present invention and includes all other kinds of doors or items with which the present invention may be useful.
Moreover, in the context of the present invention, the expressions "plug", "collar", "anchor", and any other equivalent expression known in the art (such as "cone" for example) used to designate those structures employed to operatively connect torsion springs onto overhead shafts of counterbalancing mechanisms used for garage doors and the like will be used interchangeably. Furthermore, expressions such as "spring tail" and "free end", as well as any other equivalent expressions and/or compound words thereof, may also be used interchangeably in the context of the present description. The same applies for any other mutually equivalent expressions, such as "miswinding" and "back winding" for example, as also apparent to a person skilled in the art.
In addition, although the preferred embodiment of the present invention as illustrated in the accompanying drawings comprises components such as flat outer surfaces, setscrews, sockets, etc., and although the preferred embodiment of the T-slot and corresponding abutment flange of the present invention as shown consists of certain geometrical configurations as explained and illustrated herein,
Detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the invention In the following description, the same numerical references refer to similar elements. The embodiments shown in Figures 5-15 are preferred.
Moreover, although the present invention was primarily designed for use with a counterbalancing mechanism of a garage door, it may be used for counterbalancing mechanisms of other kinds of doors, such as slidable truck doors, or with any other items suspended by a cable, as apparent to a person skilled in the art. For this reason, the expression "garage door" should not be taken as to limit the scope of the present invention and includes all other kinds of doors or items with which the present invention may be useful.
Moreover, in the context of the present invention, the expressions "plug", "collar", "anchor", and any other equivalent expression known in the art (such as "cone" for example) used to designate those structures employed to operatively connect torsion springs onto overhead shafts of counterbalancing mechanisms used for garage doors and the like will be used interchangeably. Furthermore, expressions such as "spring tail" and "free end", as well as any other equivalent expressions and/or compound words thereof, may also be used interchangeably in the context of the present description. The same applies for any other mutually equivalent expressions, such as "miswinding" and "back winding" for example, as also apparent to a person skilled in the art.
In addition, although the preferred embodiment of the present invention as illustrated in the accompanying drawings comprises components such as flat outer surfaces, setscrews, sockets, etc., and although the preferred embodiment of the T-slot and corresponding abutment flange of the present invention as shown consists of certain geometrical configurations as explained and illustrated herein,
7 not all of these components and geometries are essential to the invention and thus should not be taken in their restrictive sense; i.e. should not be taken as to limit the scope of the present invention. It is to be understood, as also apparent to a person skilled in the art, that other suitable components and cooperations thereinbetween, as well as other suitable geometrical configurations may be used for the T-slot and corresponding abutment flange of the plug according to the present invention, as will be explained hereinafter, without departing from the scope of the invention.
The plug 1 according to the preferred embodiment of the invention as it is illustrated with accompanying drawings is a plug 1 for use in counterbalancing mechanisms 3 of garage, doors 5 and the like. The plug 1, also known as a "collar", an "anchor", and/or a "cone", as aforementioned, is preferably used to operatively connect an overhead shaft 7 to a torsion spring 9 coaxiallylconcentrically mounted onto the overhead shaft 7.
Referring to Figure 1, most cable-operated doors 5, whether manually or power-operated, are connected to an overhead counterbalancing mechanism 3 that provides a counterbalancing force in order to decrease the force required to open the door 5 and also facilitate its closing. The garage door 5 is usually connected to the counterbalancing mechanism 3 by means of twa cables, one at the right and one at the left. The cables are usually made of steel and the lower free end of each cable is usually attached at the bottom of the door 5. As illustrated in Figure 1, each cable cooperates with a corresponding cable drum which is mounted to the overhead shaft 7 in order to facilitate raising and lowering of the cable-operated door 5. Torque is transferred between the torsion spring and the overhead shaft 7 by means of plugs which operatively connect the shaft to the spring 9 in order to counterbalance the weight of the garage door 5.
Usually, each torsion spring 9 is fixed to the overhead shaft '7 at one end, by means of a plug known as a "winding plug", and operatively secured to the wall at the other end, by means of another plug known as a "stationary plug". The above-mentioned types of counterbalancing mechanisms can be found in other types of cable-operated doors 5, such as slidable truck doors for example.
Referring now to Figures 2 and 3, there is shown examples of typical T-slot plugs, also known as "cones", as already known in the prior art. Figure 2 illustrate a winding plug and Figure 3 illustrates a stationary plug. The form of their slots allows the introduction of the free end of the spring 9, also known as a "spring tail", without the use of any tool. Once the spring tail is introduced into the T-slot of the collar, both the collar and the spring 9 are then introduced onto the shaft 7 and installed on site, after which the collar is pushed towards the spring 9 and then rotated around the spring axis in order to have the spring tail blocked against a corresponding hooking groove of the T-slot of the plug due to the potential energy present in the torsion spring 9. This type of plug is suitable for most torsion springs 9 but causes several problems, in that, among other things, if the torsion spring 9 is miswound, i.e. if the torsion spring 9 is loaded by winding the plug in a direction contrary to the natural winding direction of the type of torsion spring 9 being used, then very often this will result in the spring tail not hooking properly onto its corresponding hooking groove of the T-slot of the plug and will often cause the spring tail to "jump" out of said T-slot through the opposite hooking groove, thereby rendering the counterbalancing mechanism 3 inoperable or causing several damages to the components thereof.
According to the present invention and as better shown in Figures 5-15, the plug 1, whether it is a stationary plug 1a or a winding plug 1b, comprises a cylindrical collar 15 and a cylindrical flange 17. The cylindrical collar 15 has opposite first and second portions 19, 21. The collar 15 is provided with a hooking slot 23 for hooking a free end 25 of the torsion spring 9 therein and the torsion spring 9 has a segment coaxially mounted about the first portion 19 of the collar 15. The cylindrical flange 17 is rigidly affixed to the second portion 21 of the collar 15. The flange 17 is used for transferring a torque between the torsion spring and the overhead shaft 7 when the flange 17 is securely fixed about the overhead shaft 7. The plug 1 according to the present invention is characterized in that it further comprises an abutment flange 27. Among many other purposes, the abutment flange 27 is mainly devised to abut with the spring tail 25 of the torsion spring 9 in the advent of the torsion spring 9 being "miswound" (also known as "back wound"), so as to prevent the spring tail 25 from "jumping" out of the hooking slot 23, as better shown in Figure 14. Indeed, the abutment flange 27 is devised to force the spring tail 25 to remain in the hooking slot 23 even if the torsion spring 9 is wound in the wrong way. Preferably, as better shown in Figures 5-12, the abutment flange 27 comprises curved recesses 29 for "retaining"
therein the spring tail 25 of the torsion spring 9 should the latter be miswound.
Furthermore, the abutment flange 27 preferably further comprises a projection 31, as better shown in Figures 5-8 and 13-14, for preventing the spring tail 25 to be inadvertently hooked onto the abutment flange 27 instead of its corresponding hooking groove 33. The shape and the size of the abutment flange 27 and of its components, particularly its height, as well as the nature (material being used) of the plug 1 and of the corresponding abutment flange 27 being used therewith, should be selected accordingly, depending on the particular applications for which the plug 7 and abutment flange 27 are intended for and depending on the particular type of torsion spring 9 with which they are used, as apparent to a person skilled in the art.
Furthermore, as better shown in Figures 5-12, the abutment flange 27 is preferably shaped and sized for intuitively guiding an installer of the counterbalancing mechanism 3 on how to properly wind the torsion spring 9 depending on the type of spring 9 being used, i.e. the abutment flange 27 serves as a dividing line between the two corresponding hooking grooves 33 of the hooking slot 23, so that once the spring tail 25 is inserted into the plug 1 and oriented towards a corresponding hooking groove 33 by virtue of the curvature of the spring tail 25, then one simply has to wind the winding plug about the shaft 7 towards the inoccupied corresponding hooking groove 33 of the slat 23, as better shown in Figures 5, 7, 13 and 14, and as can be easily understood.
Nence, a substantial technical innovation of the present invention resides in the fact that the plug 1 comprises an abutment flange 27 which limits the possibility of misuse (i.e. miswinding) and reduces the risk of injury which may result therefrom upon installation. Indeed, from a practical point of view, when an anchoring plug is wound in a wrong way, also known as "back winding" as aforementioned, then the spring 9 and tail 25 will tend to go out of the plug 1, which may be very dangerous considering the potential energy contained in the 5 torsion spring 9. As explained hereinabove, the addition of an abutment flange 27 to the plug 1 reduces this possibility of misuse in two distinct manners.
Firstly, because of the presence of the abutment flange 2T, it is more clear as to which way the torsion spring 9 must be wound even for a user which is not familiar with installing counterbalancing mechanisms. Secondly, should the torsion spring 9 be 10 back wounded, then the abutment flange 27 will keep the spring tail 25 in the hooking slot 23, in such a way that the spring tail 25 will not jump out therefrom which thus reduces the possibility of personal injuries, or even damages to the counterbalancing mechanism.
According to other preferred embodiments of the invention, as better shown in Figures 9-12, the plug, whether stationary or winding, may be defined left or right handed, which means that the plug 1 may only be used with a corresponding left or right torsion spring 9. The expressions "left" and "right" are used in the context of the present description similarly to the expressions "clockwise" and "anti-clockwise" to express different types of winding directions for the torsion springs 9, as apparent to a person skilled in the art. Hence, for a given torsion spring 9, the universal plug 1 with symmetrical abutment flange 27 such as the ones shown in Figures 5-8 and 13-14 maybe used, or a corresponding right or left plug 1 with asymmetrical abutment flange 27, such as the ones shown in Figures 9-12, may also be used, according to the present invention.
Preferably, the plug 1 and its abutment flange 27, as well as the other components thereof, are made integral to each other, that is, they are all preferably made of one single material. Furthermore, the plug 1 is preferably made of an appropriate material; such as a metal, polymer, etc., and by means of a corresponding suitable manufacturing process, such as die casting, injection molding, etc., as it is well known in the art, depending on the applications for which the plug 1 is intended for, as apparent to a person skilled in the art.
As may now be appreciated, the present invention is an improvement and presents several advantages over other plugs known in the prior art, such as the one illustrated in Figures 2 and 3. Indeed, as described herein, the plug 1 and its abutment flange 27 according to the present invention enables to prevent a user from inadvertently miswinding a torsion spring 9 thereon. The plug 1 according to the present invention is also advantageous in that it enables, as explained hereinabove, to minimize adverse effects resulting from a torsion spring 9 having been miswound (or "back wound"). The present invention is also advantageous in that it allows the free ends 25 of the torsion springs 9 (a(so known as "spring tails") to be hooked onto the slots 23 of the plugs 1; easily, quickly, safely, and reliably, without any special tooling, while guiding a user to properly wind the torsion spring 9 along the correct winding direction. Conversely, the present invention also allows the same spring tails 25 to be hooked off the slots 23 of the plugs 1, with the same above-described advantages, for an easier maintenance andlor repair to the counterbalancing mechanism 3. The present invention may be used in the garage door industry, with counterbalancing mechanisms 3 of new garage doors 5 or existing garage doors 5. As it is evident from reading the above description, the present invention is a more reliable, easier to use, easier to maintain, safer, quicker and more cost effective plug 1 than those available in the prior art.
Furthermore, the present invention may be used with other kinds of doors 5, such as slidable truck doors, or with any other items suspended by a cable, as apparent to a person skilled in the art.
Of course, numerous modifications could be made to the above-described embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.
The plug 1 according to the preferred embodiment of the invention as it is illustrated with accompanying drawings is a plug 1 for use in counterbalancing mechanisms 3 of garage, doors 5 and the like. The plug 1, also known as a "collar", an "anchor", and/or a "cone", as aforementioned, is preferably used to operatively connect an overhead shaft 7 to a torsion spring 9 coaxiallylconcentrically mounted onto the overhead shaft 7.
Referring to Figure 1, most cable-operated doors 5, whether manually or power-operated, are connected to an overhead counterbalancing mechanism 3 that provides a counterbalancing force in order to decrease the force required to open the door 5 and also facilitate its closing. The garage door 5 is usually connected to the counterbalancing mechanism 3 by means of twa cables, one at the right and one at the left. The cables are usually made of steel and the lower free end of each cable is usually attached at the bottom of the door 5. As illustrated in Figure 1, each cable cooperates with a corresponding cable drum which is mounted to the overhead shaft 7 in order to facilitate raising and lowering of the cable-operated door 5. Torque is transferred between the torsion spring and the overhead shaft 7 by means of plugs which operatively connect the shaft to the spring 9 in order to counterbalance the weight of the garage door 5.
Usually, each torsion spring 9 is fixed to the overhead shaft '7 at one end, by means of a plug known as a "winding plug", and operatively secured to the wall at the other end, by means of another plug known as a "stationary plug". The above-mentioned types of counterbalancing mechanisms can be found in other types of cable-operated doors 5, such as slidable truck doors for example.
Referring now to Figures 2 and 3, there is shown examples of typical T-slot plugs, also known as "cones", as already known in the prior art. Figure 2 illustrate a winding plug and Figure 3 illustrates a stationary plug. The form of their slots allows the introduction of the free end of the spring 9, also known as a "spring tail", without the use of any tool. Once the spring tail is introduced into the T-slot of the collar, both the collar and the spring 9 are then introduced onto the shaft 7 and installed on site, after which the collar is pushed towards the spring 9 and then rotated around the spring axis in order to have the spring tail blocked against a corresponding hooking groove of the T-slot of the plug due to the potential energy present in the torsion spring 9. This type of plug is suitable for most torsion springs 9 but causes several problems, in that, among other things, if the torsion spring 9 is miswound, i.e. if the torsion spring 9 is loaded by winding the plug in a direction contrary to the natural winding direction of the type of torsion spring 9 being used, then very often this will result in the spring tail not hooking properly onto its corresponding hooking groove of the T-slot of the plug and will often cause the spring tail to "jump" out of said T-slot through the opposite hooking groove, thereby rendering the counterbalancing mechanism 3 inoperable or causing several damages to the components thereof.
According to the present invention and as better shown in Figures 5-15, the plug 1, whether it is a stationary plug 1a or a winding plug 1b, comprises a cylindrical collar 15 and a cylindrical flange 17. The cylindrical collar 15 has opposite first and second portions 19, 21. The collar 15 is provided with a hooking slot 23 for hooking a free end 25 of the torsion spring 9 therein and the torsion spring 9 has a segment coaxially mounted about the first portion 19 of the collar 15. The cylindrical flange 17 is rigidly affixed to the second portion 21 of the collar 15. The flange 17 is used for transferring a torque between the torsion spring and the overhead shaft 7 when the flange 17 is securely fixed about the overhead shaft 7. The plug 1 according to the present invention is characterized in that it further comprises an abutment flange 27. Among many other purposes, the abutment flange 27 is mainly devised to abut with the spring tail 25 of the torsion spring 9 in the advent of the torsion spring 9 being "miswound" (also known as "back wound"), so as to prevent the spring tail 25 from "jumping" out of the hooking slot 23, as better shown in Figure 14. Indeed, the abutment flange 27 is devised to force the spring tail 25 to remain in the hooking slot 23 even if the torsion spring 9 is wound in the wrong way. Preferably, as better shown in Figures 5-12, the abutment flange 27 comprises curved recesses 29 for "retaining"
therein the spring tail 25 of the torsion spring 9 should the latter be miswound.
Furthermore, the abutment flange 27 preferably further comprises a projection 31, as better shown in Figures 5-8 and 13-14, for preventing the spring tail 25 to be inadvertently hooked onto the abutment flange 27 instead of its corresponding hooking groove 33. The shape and the size of the abutment flange 27 and of its components, particularly its height, as well as the nature (material being used) of the plug 1 and of the corresponding abutment flange 27 being used therewith, should be selected accordingly, depending on the particular applications for which the plug 7 and abutment flange 27 are intended for and depending on the particular type of torsion spring 9 with which they are used, as apparent to a person skilled in the art.
Furthermore, as better shown in Figures 5-12, the abutment flange 27 is preferably shaped and sized for intuitively guiding an installer of the counterbalancing mechanism 3 on how to properly wind the torsion spring 9 depending on the type of spring 9 being used, i.e. the abutment flange 27 serves as a dividing line between the two corresponding hooking grooves 33 of the hooking slot 23, so that once the spring tail 25 is inserted into the plug 1 and oriented towards a corresponding hooking groove 33 by virtue of the curvature of the spring tail 25, then one simply has to wind the winding plug about the shaft 7 towards the inoccupied corresponding hooking groove 33 of the slat 23, as better shown in Figures 5, 7, 13 and 14, and as can be easily understood.
Nence, a substantial technical innovation of the present invention resides in the fact that the plug 1 comprises an abutment flange 27 which limits the possibility of misuse (i.e. miswinding) and reduces the risk of injury which may result therefrom upon installation. Indeed, from a practical point of view, when an anchoring plug is wound in a wrong way, also known as "back winding" as aforementioned, then the spring 9 and tail 25 will tend to go out of the plug 1, which may be very dangerous considering the potential energy contained in the 5 torsion spring 9. As explained hereinabove, the addition of an abutment flange 27 to the plug 1 reduces this possibility of misuse in two distinct manners.
Firstly, because of the presence of the abutment flange 2T, it is more clear as to which way the torsion spring 9 must be wound even for a user which is not familiar with installing counterbalancing mechanisms. Secondly, should the torsion spring 9 be 10 back wounded, then the abutment flange 27 will keep the spring tail 25 in the hooking slot 23, in such a way that the spring tail 25 will not jump out therefrom which thus reduces the possibility of personal injuries, or even damages to the counterbalancing mechanism.
According to other preferred embodiments of the invention, as better shown in Figures 9-12, the plug, whether stationary or winding, may be defined left or right handed, which means that the plug 1 may only be used with a corresponding left or right torsion spring 9. The expressions "left" and "right" are used in the context of the present description similarly to the expressions "clockwise" and "anti-clockwise" to express different types of winding directions for the torsion springs 9, as apparent to a person skilled in the art. Hence, for a given torsion spring 9, the universal plug 1 with symmetrical abutment flange 27 such as the ones shown in Figures 5-8 and 13-14 maybe used, or a corresponding right or left plug 1 with asymmetrical abutment flange 27, such as the ones shown in Figures 9-12, may also be used, according to the present invention.
Preferably, the plug 1 and its abutment flange 27, as well as the other components thereof, are made integral to each other, that is, they are all preferably made of one single material. Furthermore, the plug 1 is preferably made of an appropriate material; such as a metal, polymer, etc., and by means of a corresponding suitable manufacturing process, such as die casting, injection molding, etc., as it is well known in the art, depending on the applications for which the plug 1 is intended for, as apparent to a person skilled in the art.
As may now be appreciated, the present invention is an improvement and presents several advantages over other plugs known in the prior art, such as the one illustrated in Figures 2 and 3. Indeed, as described herein, the plug 1 and its abutment flange 27 according to the present invention enables to prevent a user from inadvertently miswinding a torsion spring 9 thereon. The plug 1 according to the present invention is also advantageous in that it enables, as explained hereinabove, to minimize adverse effects resulting from a torsion spring 9 having been miswound (or "back wound"). The present invention is also advantageous in that it allows the free ends 25 of the torsion springs 9 (a(so known as "spring tails") to be hooked onto the slots 23 of the plugs 1; easily, quickly, safely, and reliably, without any special tooling, while guiding a user to properly wind the torsion spring 9 along the correct winding direction. Conversely, the present invention also allows the same spring tails 25 to be hooked off the slots 23 of the plugs 1, with the same above-described advantages, for an easier maintenance andlor repair to the counterbalancing mechanism 3. The present invention may be used in the garage door industry, with counterbalancing mechanisms 3 of new garage doors 5 or existing garage doors 5. As it is evident from reading the above description, the present invention is a more reliable, easier to use, easier to maintain, safer, quicker and more cost effective plug 1 than those available in the prior art.
Furthermore, the present invention may be used with other kinds of doors 5, such as slidable truck doors, or with any other items suspended by a cable, as apparent to a person skilled in the art.
Of course, numerous modifications could be made to the above-described embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.
Claims
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2369705 CA2369705A1 (en) | 2002-01-30 | 2002-01-30 | Plug with abutment flange for abutting spring tail of corresponding torsion spring |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2369705 CA2369705A1 (en) | 2002-01-30 | 2002-01-30 | Plug with abutment flange for abutting spring tail of corresponding torsion spring |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2369705A1 true CA2369705A1 (en) | 2003-07-30 |
Family
ID=27626539
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2369705 Abandoned CA2369705A1 (en) | 2002-01-30 | 2002-01-30 | Plug with abutment flange for abutting spring tail of corresponding torsion spring |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2369705A1 (en) |
-
2002
- 2002-01-30 CA CA 2369705 patent/CA2369705A1/en not_active Abandoned
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| Date | Code | Title | Description |
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