EP1944447A2

EP1944447A2 - Device for an automatic closing of doors

Info

Publication number: EP1944447A2
Application number: EP08150071A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Claudio Bongiovanni
Original assignee: Industria Casearia Silvio Belladelli SRL
Current assignee: Industria Casearia Silvio Belladelli SRL
Priority date: 2007-01-15
Filing date: 2008-01-07
Publication date: 2008-07-16
Also published as: RU2008100056A; RU2472908C2; ITVR20070008A1; EP1944447A3

Abstract

A device (70) for an automatic closing of a door wing is coupled to a floor with possibility of rotation and comprises a fixed group (40) which is fixed to the floor, a rotary group (60) to which the door wing is fixed and a translating group (50) which is coupled to the fixed group (40) in such a way as to translate orthogonally to the floor and not to rotate in relation to the fixed group (40).

The translating group (50) comprises elastic means (11) and at least an element (9) acting as a cam follower and translating orthogonally to the floor. The rotary group (60) to which the door wing is fixed comprises at least an element (6) acting as a cam in relation to the element (9) acting as a cam follower.

The rotary group (60) is coupled to the translating group (50) so that the cam element (6) beats against the cam follower (9) and with a rotation of the rotary group (60) in a given direction the cam element (6) causes a translation, orthogonal to the floor, of the cam follower (9) and a compression of the elastic means (11). In the same manner, the expansion of the elastic means (11) causes a reverse rotation of the rotary group (60) as well as a reverse rotation of the door wing fixed to the rotary group.

Description

This patent of invention refers to a device for an automatic closing of doors, windows, etc. In particular it is a device is conceived to be preferably mounted on wing doors and swing doors.
In the course of the present handling, the term wing is to be intended also in reference to imposts, wickets, small doors and similar doors.
The automatic closing device for these types of doors, known also as "door closers", are mounted on wing doors made of any type of material; the most common used materials are, for example, glass, aluminum, wood or other similar materials.
The door closers device are known. At present, the prior art concerning door closers for wing doors and swing doors offers unaesthetic cumbersome movable arm devices such as the aerial and aerodynamic door closers, the thrust door closers, the door closers designed to be hidden in door profiles (the so-called invisible door closers). In most cases, it is necessary to "bury" said devices near the door for the mounting and functioning thereof because of the complexity and encumbrance of the components.
It is obvious that there are problems in obtaining a seat for the housing of said closing means.
All the above disadvantages and further ones are overcome by the door closer according to this invention which can be mounted easily with a simple screwing.
The peculiarity of this invention consists in conceiving and carrying out a hydraulic device or door closer showing a vertical rod. The shape of the device is such that it can be mounted on doors or the like with minimum overall dimensions, both on the outside and in recesses obtained for instance in profiles or ribs of the doors, by fixing its supporting plate to floors or the like with a simple screwing of known fixing means such as screws or the like.
Thus the object of the present invention is a device for an automatic closing of a door wing coupled to a floor with possibility of rotation. Said device comprises a fixed group which is fixed to the floor, a translating group which is coupled to the fixed group, and a rotary group to which the door wing is fixed. The translating group is coupled to the fixed group, in such a way as to translate orthogonally to the floor and not to rotate in relation to the fixed group and comprises elastic means and at least an element acting as a cam follower and translating orthogonally to the floor; said elastic means are arranged between the cam follower and a ring which is fixed in an orthogonal direction to the floor. The rotary group comprises at least an element acting as a cam in relation to the element acting as a cam follower; the rotary group is coupled to the translating group so that the cam element beats against the cam follower and with a rotation of the rotary group in a given direction the cam element causes a translation, orthogonal to the floor, of the cam follower and a compression of the elastic means; the expansion of the elastic means causes a reverse rotation of the rotary group as well as a reverse rotation of the door wing fixed to the rotary group.
As an advantage, the device in question has a rotary group including a first chamber between the cam follower and the ring. Said chamber houses the elastic means and a fluid, a second chamber in which said fluid is collected, a piston including at least a duct through which the fluid flows between the first chamber and the second chamber. In this way, with a rotation of the rotary group in a given direction the volume of the first chamber reduces, the elastic means are compressed and at least a part of the fluid passes from the first chamber to the second chamber; with a rotation of the rotary group in the opposite direction the volume of the first chamber increases, the elastic means expand and at least a part of the fluid passes from the second chamber to the first chamber.
As an advantage, at least a channel of the piston may comprise a fluid control valve for the regulation of the fluid flow and consequently, for the regulation of the door closing speed.
Further features and details of the invention will be better understood from the following specification that is given as a non-limiting example as well as from the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figures 1, 2, 3 are schematic exploded views of the components of a door closer according to this invention;
Figures 4, 5, 6 are views of three groups of the door closer according to this invention, namely, a fixed group which is integral to the base around which the door rotates, a group of axial movement which moves axially in relation to the fixed group, and a radial rotary group which revolves in relation to the fixed group;
Figures 7, 8, 9, 10 are views of the door closer in a closed position of 0 degrees, in a half-open position of 45 degrees, in an open position of 90 degrees, and in a completely open position of 180 degrees, respectively;
Fig. 11 is a view of a door closer covering cylinder according to the invention;
Figures 12 and 13 are views of embodiments of the door closer as mounted on a wing door;
Figure 14 is a schematic view of an oil flow control system in the door closer according to the invention;
Figure 15 is a schematic view of the door closer as a whole;
Figure 16 is a schematic view of the door closer according to a different embodiment;
Figures 17 and 18 are views of two different examples of application of the door closer according to the invention.

With reference to the accompanying drawings and in particular to Figure 15, reference number 70 denotes a hydraulic door closer having a vertical rod according to a preferred embodiment.
The hydraulic vertical rod door closer is fixed to a floor and to a door at the same time, as it can be seen in Figure 12, 13.
Starting from the lower base, the hydraulic rod door closer 70 comprises screws 1, a clamping plate 2, a closing piston indicated with number 3 on the whole, a first thrust bearing 4, a first roller bearing 5, a bushing for the movement of the piston 6, a second roller bearing 7, a cardan shaft 8, a cardan bushing 9, a shaft 10, a spring 11, a ring 12, a second thrust bearing 13, an oil controlling piston indicated with number 14 on the whole, an elastic ring 15, a pressure piston indicated with 16 on the whole and a cap 17.
All the above listed elements of the hydraulic door closer showing a vertical rod form three distinct driving groups and all are included, except the clamping plate 2, in a cylinder 100, as it results in Figure 11.
More precisely, said driving groups are defined as:

fixed group 40;
axially movable group 50;
rotary group 60.

The fixed group 40 comprises a clamping plate 2. A side of the clamping plate 2 is fixed to the floor while the other side of the clamping plate 2 is fixed to the closing piston 3. The fixing is accomplished by means of the screws 1.
An end of the cardan shaft 8 is housed in the closing piston 3. Both the closing piston and the cardan shaft are fixed by means of a pin (not represented in the figures since it is known).
The axially movable group or translating group 50 comprises the cardan bushing 9. The lower part of the cardan bushing 9 has a seat 9' in which the upper part of the cardan shaft 8 is housed. The upper part of the cardan bushing 9 has a seat in which the lower end of the shaft 10 is fixed by means of a suitable pin (not represented in the figures).
The upper part of the shaft 10 is united firmly to the pressure piston 16 through a fixing pin. The spring 11 is inserted in the shaft 10. The lower end of the spring 11 beats against the cardan bushing 9 while the upper end of the spring 11 beats against the ring 12 which is coaxial to the shaft 10.
In particular, the lower surface of the cardan bushing 9 is oblique, as it appears from Fig. 5.
From base to top, the rotary group comprises the first thrust bearing 4, the first roller bearing 5, the bushing allowing the movement of piston 6, the second roller bearing 7, the second thrust bearing 13, the oil regulating piston 14 that in turn is provided with an oil regulating valve 22, the elastic ring 15 and the closing cap 17.
In particular, the bushing allowing the movement of piston 6 has an upper oblique surface, as it can be seen in Fig. 6.
The bushing for the movement of piston 6 and the oil regulating piston 14 comprise a first joint 32 and a second joint 34, respectively. Said joints 32, 34 are fixed and made integral to the door wing which is pivoted coaxially to the door closer 70.
In addition, the rotary group 60 comprises the cylinder 100 in which the elements of the rotary group are included. The cylinder 100 makes the joints 32, 34 integral to each other.
The three moving groups 40, 50, 60 cooperate with each other and are inserted in the cylinder 100 of the rotary group in order to be included in each other. In other terms, on the upper part the fixed group 40 receives the rotary group 60 which incorporates the assially movable group between the bushing of movement of piston 6 and the oil regulating piston 14.
The oblique surfaces of the bushings 6 and 9 have at least a point of contact. In particular, in the position of door closing (Figure 7), the oblique surfaces of the two bushings 6, 9 are disposed in such a way as to perfectly mate and form an oblique plane of contact.
Now, an example of mounting and functioning of the door closer according to the invention is described.
Once the door closer is assembled, the clamping plate 2 is fixed to the floor by means of simple screwing means and the joints 32, 34 are fixed to the door wing.
In the closing position (position of 0°) the door closer according to the invention is disposed as represented in Figure 7. The oblique surfaces of the two bushings 6, 9 beat completely against each other.
When the door is opened, the door wing rotates and consequently, the rotary group 60 rotates. The bushing 6 acts as a cam on the oblique surface of bushing 9 so that bushing 9 is compelled to vertically translate since bushing 9 can not rotate and is movable vertically and is engaged in the cardan shaft 8 of the fixed group 40 which is integral to the floor). Consequently, the spring 11 is pressed between the bushing 9, which goes upwards, and the ring 12, which is fixed vertically.
By pushing the door wing for a complete opening of the door the rotary group 60 is rotated and the spring 11 of the axially movable group 50 is further loaded, as represented in Figures 8, 9 and 10.
Consequently, once the door wing is let free, the door wing returns automatically to the closing position since the spring presses the bushing 9 which pushes the oblique surface of the bushing 6 and rotates same with the rotary group 60 and the door wing itself.
The door closer 70 according to this invention allows a manual opening of the door and when the manual opening operation is ended, the door closer allows an automatic closing of the door since the door closer components return to their initial position.
The inner part, namely, the chamber 72 of the cylinder 100 including the spring 11 (between the bushing 9 and the spring 12) contains an oil. The oil flow is controlled by the regulating piston 14 as described below with reference to Fig. 14.
When the door wing is opened and the bushing 9 is displaced upwards, the oil in the chamber 72 is pressed through the channel 18 to the chamber 19 over the regulating piston 14 and therefore, the volume of the chamber 19 increases when the door wing is opened (as it can be seen in Figures 8, 9, 10).
When the door wing is free, the door wing closes because of the thrust of the spring 11 and consequently, the oil passes through the channel 20 from the chamber 19 to the chamber 72.
In the inside of the regulating piston 14, there are provided non-return balls 21, which are positioned in the upper part of the channel 18, and at least an oil regulating valve 22 through which it is possible to control the closing speed of the door wing.
According to a different application, owing to the particular conformation and the minimum overall dimensions of the door closer, it is possible that the door closer is inserted in the inside of a wing door upright or in a wing door rib, so that the door closer is hidden, as represented in Figures 17 and 18.
In another embodiment, it is possible to replace the cardan shaft 8 with ball bearings or the like, as represented in Figure 16.
A technician of this sector may conceive some modifications that are to be considered as included in the scope of protection of this industrial invention.

Claims

Device for an automatic closing of a door wing coupled to a floor with possibility of rotation, comprising:
- a fixed group (40) which is fixed to the floor;

- a translating group (50) which is coupled to the fixed group (40) in such a way as to translate orthogonally to the floor and not to rotate in relation to the fixed group (40); the translating group (50) comprises elastic means (11) and at least an element (9) acting as a cam follower and translating orthogonally to the floor; said elastic means (11) are arranged between the cam follower (9) and a ring (12) which is fixed in an orthogonal direction to the floor;

- a rotary group (60) to which the door wing is fixed comprises at least an element (6) acting as a cam in relation to the element (9) acting as a cam follower;
the rotary group (60) is coupled to the translating group (50) so that the cam element (6) beats against the cam follower (9) and with a rotation of the rotary group (60) in a given direction the cam element (6) causes a translation, orthogonal to the floor, of the cam follower (9) and a compression of the elastic means (11); the expansion of the elastic means (11) causes a reverse rotation of the rotary group (60) as well as a reverse rotation of the door wing fixed to the rotary group.
Device as claimed in the foregoing claim, wherein the rotary group (60) comprises:
- a first chamber (72) disposed between the cam follower (9) and the ring (12), in which the elastic means (11) and a fluid are contained;

- a piston (14) comprising at least a duct (18, 20) through which the fluid flows between the first chamber (72) and the second chamber (16);
so that with a rotation of the rotary group (60) in a given direction the volume of the first chamber (72) reduces, the elastic means are compressed and at least a part of the fluid passes from the first chamber (72) to the second chamber (16);
and that with a rotation of the rotary group (60) in the opposite direction the volume of the first chamber (72) increases, the elastic means expand and at least a part of the fluid passes from the second chamber (16) to the first chamber (72).
Device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the piston (14) comprises a fluid control valve (22) for the regulation of the fluid flow from the second chamber (19) to the first chamber (72) and the speed of rotation of the rotary group (60) in a direction.
Device as claimed in claim 3, wherein the piston (14) comprises a first duct (18) for the fluid flow from the first chamber (72) to the second chamber (19), and a second duct (20) for the fluid flow from the second chamber (19) to the first chamber (72), said fluid control valve (22) being housed in the second duct (20).
Device as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein the elastic means are represented by a spring (11).
Device as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein the fixed group (40) comprises a shaft (8) fixed to the floor by means of a plate (2) and the element acting as a cam follower of the translating group (50) is a translating bushing (9) which translates axially over said shaft (8) without possibility of rotation and has an oblique surface.
Device as claimed in claim 6, wherein the element acting as a cam of the rotary group (60) is a bushing (6) which has an oblique surface in contact with at least a point of the oblique surface of the bushing (9) of the translating group (50).
Device as claimed in claim 7, wherein the oblique surface of the bushing (6) and the oblique surface of the bushing (9) have the same angle of inclination.
Device as claimed in claim 8, wherein the spring (11) is fully extended when the bushing (6) and the bushing (9) have their respective oblique surfaces fully beating against each other.
Door comprising an automatic closing device as claimed in one of the foregoing claims.