NZ272334A - Door/window closer; self-closing type has a spring and a winding device - Google Patents

Description

Patents Form No. 5 THE PATENTS ACT 1953 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION No. 272334 Date: 12 June 1995 SELF CLOSING SLIDING DOOR OR CLOSING MECHANISM 1, CHRISTOPHER RAYMOND LAYTON, a New Zealand citizen of 225 Riverbend Road, Napier, New Zealand, hereby declare this invention, for which I pray that a patent may be granted to me, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: 27 2 3 3 4 This invention relates to closing means. In particular, one preferred form of the invention relates to a self closing door or window.

A disadvantage with many known types of doors is that they must be manually closed otherwise they will remain in an open position. This can present a particular problem with young children as an open door can provide a child with easy access to a potentially hazardous area. This can be very dangerous if the child is able to approach an area such as that surrounding a swimming pool. A further disadvantage of an open door is that undesirable drafts can enter a dwelling, and heat can be lost relatively quickly. Attempts have been made to address these problems with the use of weighted, hydraulic or electrically powered closing mechanisms. Many such mechanisms have proved to be unsatisfactory. In particular, in the case of electric closing mechanisms a door can be left open for a long period of time in the event of a power failure. With some weighted closing mechanisms the velocity of the closing door increases as it gains momentum, and this can lead to the jamming of fingers or other body parts. It is therefore an object of one form of the present invention to provide closing means which goes at least some way towards overcoming at least some of the above problems.

According to one aspect of the invention there is provided closing means, comprising spring means and winding means, the closing means being formed such that when it is in use a first end part of a length of connection means can be wound around the winding means and a second end part of the connection means can be connected to a closure, the closing means being such that opening of the closure causes at least some of the connection means to unwind from the winding means causing the spring means to become loaded to provide a force which causes the connection means to wind onto the winding means when the closure is released, with the effect that the closure is moved towards a closed position.

Preferably the closure comprises a door or window.

Preferably the connection means is cable, wire, cord, rope, chain, or the like. 27 2 33 4 Preferably the spring means is connected to the winding means.

Preferably the spring means comprises a torque or torsion spring.

Preferably the winding means comprises a drum or reel.

Preferably the closing means comprises an elongate member which extends through the spring means and provides a mounting for the winding means.

Preferably the winding means is positioned between the spring means and a stabilising spring, the spring means providing a force against one end of the winding means and the stabilising spring providing a force against an opposite end of the winding means with the result that lateral movement of the winding means is restricted.

Preferably the closing means comprises at least one pulley for guiding movement of the connection means between the winding means and the closure.

Some preferred forms of the invention will now be described by way of example, and with reference to the accompanying drawing, which shows a door closing mechanism in use with a sliding door.

The door closing mechanism comprises a torque or torsion spring 1 mounted on a rod 2. The arrangement is such that the rod 2 extends through the central longitudinal axis of the spring 1. The rod 2 is mounted on a base plate or support bracket 3 which is secured to a building construction adjacent a doorway. The steel rod also mounts a drum 4 immediately above the spring 1. More particularly, the drum 4 is connected to the spring 1, and can rotate about the rod 2. Undesirable lateral movement of the drum 4 is restricted by a stabilising spring 5 which is mounted on the rod 2 immediately above the drum 4. The restriction of lateral movement results because the torque or torsion spring 1 and the restricting spring 5 each provide a force against an opposite end of the drum 4. 27 2 33 4 A length of cable 6 is wound around the drum 4, extends around pulleys 7 and 8, and then extends to a sliding door 9 where it is fastened. As the door 9 is opened the cable 6 unwinds from the drum 4. Unwinding of the cable 6 causes the drum 4 to rotate, which in turn causes the torque or torsion spring 1 to become loaded. When the door 9 has been opened and is then released, the spring 1 causes reverse rotation of the drum 4. This causes the cable 6 to be wound back on to the drum 4 with the result that the door 9 is pulled to a closed position. As the door 9 nears the closed position the loading on the torque or torsion spring I is reduced so that the likelihood of a person suffering injury through jamming of fingers, etc, is minimised. The door closing mechanism can be mounted in a variety of positions adjacent a doorway, such as in a ceiling space, under a floor, within a wall, or simply adjacent a doorway where it can be seen.

It is envisioned that the invention will be primarily used with sliding doors, however it can also be used with alternative forms of doors. The invention can also be used with other closures such as sliding or non-sliding windows.

While some preferred forms of the invention have been described by way of example, it should be appreciated that modifications and improvements can occur without departing from the scope of the appended claims.

Claims (11)

27 2 33 WHAT I CLAIM IS:

1. Closing means, comprising spring means and winding means, the closing means being formed such that when it is in use a first end part of a length of connection means can be wound around the winding means and a second end part of the connection means can be connected to a closure, the closing means being such that opening of the closure causes at least some of the connection means to unwind from the winding means causing the spring means to become loaded to provide a force which causes the connection means to wind onto the winding means when the closure is released, with the effect that the closure is moved to a closed position.

2. Closing means according to claim 1, wherein the closure comprises a door or window.

3. Closing means according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the connection means comprises cable, wire, cord, rope or chain.

4. Closing means according to claim 1,2 or 3, wherein the spring means is connected to the winding means.

5. Closing means according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the spring means comprises a torque or torsion spring.

6. Closing means according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the winding means comprises a drum or reel.

7. Closing means according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising an elongate member which extends through the spring means and provides a mounting for the winding means.

8. Closing means according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the winding means is positioned between the spring means and a stabilising spring, the spring means providing a -6- 27 2 33 4 force against one end of the winding means and the stabilising spring providing a force against an opposite end of the winding means with the result that lateral movement of the winding means is restricted.

9. Closing means according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising at least one pulley for guiding movement of the connection means between the winding means and the closure.

10. Closing means according to claim 1, substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawing.

11. A window or door, comprising closing means according to claim 1. CHRISTOPHER RAYMOND LAYTON By His Authorised Attorney A.J. Pietras & Associates END OF CLAIMS mx rtcrem owmk1 2 2 MM 1996 F1ECEIVED