GB2247915A

GB2247915A - Door safety device

Info

Publication number: GB2247915A
Application number: GB9020226A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Edward Dean
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1990-09-15
Filing date: 1990-09-15
Publication date: 1992-03-18
Also published as: GB9020226D0

Abstract

A door safety device that controls the force required to open or close a door. The door check has a rod pivotally secured to the inside of the door frame. The rod is slidingly attached to the door so as to move in unison with the door as it opens and closes. A resistance device slides on the rod and is captured between two members also secured to the door so that as the door is swung the resistance device is urged along the rod. <IMAGE>

Description

Door Safety Device This invention relates to safety devices1 and in particular but not exclusively to a device for attachment to a door to reduce the speed at which a door is opened and closed.

Various devices exist to prevent doors from slamming, in some instances utilising dashpots as a damping means.

However such devices require space for the dashpots and associated hinged arms, and in general have a utilitarian appearance.

The present invention is directed towards providing a door checking or damping device of simple construction that is compact and unobtrusive.

Accordingly the present invention provides a door check for controlling the force required to open or close a door, the door check comprising a rod pivotally secured to the inside hinge side of the door frame and slidingly attached to the door so as to move in unison with the door, and a resistance device arranged to slide on the rod and be captured between two members secured to the door such that in response to a swinging movement of the door the resistance device is urged along the rod.

The invention is now described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawing in which: Figure 1 illustrates an embodiment of a door checking device according to the invention, mounted on a door.

Referring to the drawing a door check device comprises a rod 1 arranged to extend from a pivoting support 2. The rod 1 is arranged so that it extends along the back of the door, that is the side facing away from the door aperture as the door is opened, and slides in a bracket 3, which has two slotted arms 4 to permit opening and closing movement of the door. Between the slotted arms 4 a helical spring is captured on the rod, the diameter of the spring being such that it grips the rod.

When the door is moved the rod 1 slides through the slots in the arms 4 and the support 2 pivots in the same sense as the door about pins 5 retained in apertures 6 in a second bracket 7 attached to the door frame. This movement would be unhindered were it not for the action of the helical spring 8. As the door moves, in this instance considering a door opening movement, the distance between the bracket 3 and the door frame assembly of support 2 and bracket reduces slightly and the rod therefore moves through the slotted arms 4 so that a greater length protrudes beyond the bracket 3.

In order to move the rod has to slide through the captured spring 8, and the gripping tension of the spring tends to resist this movement, so that a greater force has to be applied to open the door.

It will be realised that as the door is opened, the captured spring will be urged by the initial movement of the rod to bear against the outer (from the hinge to the right as viewed in the drawings) slotted arm 4, and with continued pressure this will tend to compress the spring which will release some of the pressure, enabling the rod to slide through the spring more easily.

On closing the door, the reverse movements occur and the spring is urged to bear against the inner slotted arm.

To attach the assembly to a door, all that is required is attachment of the two brackets 3 and 7 respectively to the door and door frame. The pins 5 of the support may be outwardly biassed and retracted so that the pins can be inserted into the apertures 6 in the arms of bracket 7.

Alternatively slight flexibility of the bracket 7 may be used to enable insertion of the pins into the bracket apertures before the bracket is attached to the door.

Conveniently the rod may be detachable from the support, for example by means such as the illustrated screw thread.

The bracket 2 may be mounted at any location on the door as long as there is sufficient travel for the rod 1 without it coming unthreaded from arms 4. During fixing, easy sliding of the rod can be facilitated by compressing spring 8, and to assist this action the ends of the spring are provided with extending spurs 9.

To minimise obtrusiveness the door check may be mounted close to the hinge and a short rod 1 used. For concealment, the door check may be incorporated into decorative hinge bars.

It will be realised that by varying the grip of the spring, which may be achieved by either a different diameter of spring or rod or by having an adjustable location for at least one of the bracket arms, the resistance to door movement can be varied. Tension may be selected so that the door remains open unless pushed.

Claims

1. A door check for controlling the force required to open or close a door, the door check comprising a rod pivotally secured to the inside hinge side of the door frame and slidingly attached to the door so as to move in unison with the door, and a resistance device arranged to slide on the rod and be captured between two members secured to the door such that in response to a swinging movement of the door the resistance device is urged along the rod.

2. A door check according to claim 1 in which the resistance device comprises a helical spring threaded on the rod.

3. A door check according to claim 1 or claim 2 in which the resistance device is captured between two slotted flanges, the rod passing through the slots in the flanges to provide the sliding attachment of the rod to the door.