GB2042625A

GB2042625A - A Door Closer Mechanism

Info

Publication number: GB2042625A
Application number: GB7902883A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1979-01-26
Filing date: 1979-01-26
Publication date: 1980-09-24

Abstract

In a door closer mechanism, a spring or other biasing means is automatically restrained for a predetermined period of time in response to the door being opened without needing any external influence such as electro-magnetism. Also, the door can be held in only slightly open or other intermediate positions, or can be easily pulled close before the time elapses, as desired. This is achieved by a mechanism comprising a ratchet (D) which is coupled to a spring (G); and a member (A) coupled to the door fixing lug (H). Upon opening the door, the member (A) drives the ratchet (D) and at the same time activates a timer (J) by pin (C). The ratchet (D) is held by a pawl (E) and restrains the spring (G). After a predetermined period of time, the timer (J) releases the pawl (E) from the ratchet (D) and the spring (G) once again acts on the door. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Timed Door Closer This drawing shows a simple application of the principle, applied to a spring hinge.

The principle can be applied to any type of self closing device-floor spring, overhead spring, double swing bomber, check action, even Perko etc. The device can alsobe modified to permit operation to cock the spring against the timer by hand before the door is opened, e.g. by a lever on J the door or jamb. This would enable elderly or disabled on walking frames, to negotiate the door.

Action of the Device 1. In passive closed position, lever (A) is in contact with pin (B) and timer pin (C) is in engagement with timer winding mechanism.

2. On opening door, rachet (D) is turned, door closing spring tensioned and held back by pawl (E) Simultaneously, pin (C) winds timer. At this stage door is free to move as any other door without a spring.

3. When time lapses, pawl release pin (F) engages trigger on (E) thus releasing door closing spring and closing the door.

4. If the door is not fully open when the time expires, release of closing spring might cause some shock to winding lever. This can be overcome. One method would be to replace lever A by a disc serrated on the underside, and arrange that when the pawl is triggered, the rachet plate rises. The top of this plate would also be serrated and engage with the upper plate immediately, thus avoiding shock. On the door reaching closed position, the upper disc would operate an internal lever to depress the rachet plate and release the door spring.

5. The "free" time is preset to a period agreed with the Fire Brigade, possibly in the order of one minute.

A device to make more acceptable to users, the self-closing of doors required to be so, thus eliminating the temptation to disconnect springs, or fit wedges etc, to overcome their inconvenience in use. This is accomplished without the need for an electrical connection or smoke or heat detection, and each time the door is opened the effectiveness of the device is proved, thus eliminating the need for periodic checks by specialists, on the danger of failure between such checks. By means of this device, unencumbered passage is provided for:- (a) several persons, or (b) a disabled person in a wheelchair or walking frame, or (c) a person carrying goods or a baby as well as any other normal use of a non-self-closing door.

Claims

1. A device to be fitted to the spring mechanism of a door required to be self-closing, by means of which the spring's operation is restrained by the action of opening the door, and with no electrical requirement, so that the door retains all the advantages of a non-self-closing door, for a predetermined period of time, after which a timer triggers a release to bring the spring back into use, thus closing the door.

New Claims filed on 25 January 1980.

New or Amended Claims: 1. A closer mechanism for a door normally biased towards an extreme position by biasing means, which mechanism comprises a ratchet for coupling to such biasing means; a pawl for the ratchet; a member for coupling to movement of a said door; and a timer operatively coupled to the member and pawl, the member and ratchet being so arranged that in use, movement of the member from a given position drives the ratchet past the pawl which holds the ratchet against the biasing means, and activates the timer, the timer being effective after a predetermined period to disconnect the pawl from the ratchet whereby the biasing means is released to urge the door to its extreme position.

2. A mechanism according to Claim 1 wherein the ratchet and member are mounted for rotation about a common axis.

3. A mechanism according to Claim 1 or Claim 2 wherein the member is coupled to each of the ratchet and timer by means of a lost motion connection whereby the member is free to move within said predetermined time period.

4. A closer mechanism for a door substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated by the accompanying drawing.

5. A door having means normally biasing it towards an extreme position and a closer mechanism according to any preceding Claim.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Timed Door Closer This drawing shows a simple application of the principle, applied to a spring hinge. The principle can be applied to any type of self closing device-floor spring, overhead spring, double swing bomber, check action, even Perko etc. The device can alsobe modified to permit operation to cock the spring against the timer by hand before the door is opened, e.g. by a lever on J the door or jamb. This would enable elderly or disabled on walking frames, to negotiate the door. Action of the Device

1. In passive closed position, lever (A) is in contact with pin (B) and timer pin (C) is in engagement with timer winding mechanism.

Claims

New Claims filed on 25 January 1980.

New or Amended Claims:

1. A closer mechanism for a door normally biased towards an extreme position by biasing means, which mechanism comprises a ratchet for coupling to such biasing means; a pawl for the ratchet; a member for coupling to movement of a said door; and a timer operatively coupled to the member and pawl, the member and ratchet being so arranged that in use, movement of the member from a given position drives the ratchet past the pawl which holds the ratchet against the biasing means, and activates the timer, the timer being effective after a predetermined period to disconnect the pawl from the ratchet whereby the biasing means is released to urge the door to its extreme position.