US1992972A - Door operating mechanism - Google Patents

Description

Machs, 1935.

F. J. SULLIVAN DooR OPERATING MEczmmIsur l Filed June 19, 19:51 v2 sheets-sheet 1 March 5, 1935.Y F. J. SULLIVAN DOOR @PERATING MEGHANISM Filed .June 19, 1931 I 2 sheets-sheet :al

gmc/too I M/m/DLL/m/Y Patented Mar. s, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Doon OPERATING MECHANISM Frank J. Sullivan, Oshkosh, Wis. applicati@l June 19, 1931, serial No. 545,546`

14 Claims.

This invention relates to door operating mecha nisms and more particularly to a mechanism for operating garage doors and the like, and is an improvement over the construction shown in my copending application Serial No.A 493,616, 'filed November 5, 1930.r l

As in the case of my copending application referred to, the present invention relates particularly to the type of door which is movablefrom its normal vertical closed positionto 4an overhead position Within the building, the door being supported at its upper end by a trackway and movable through a swinging path by means yconnected to its-other end. Doors of this type operated by the usual mechanisms provided for f this purpose possess 'several disadvantages, and among them the fact that the lower or swinging end of the door is caused to move7 in .a substantially arcuate path of material diameterwhereby -.the swinging edge oi. the door moves outwardly a substantial distance from the door frame, thus often causing it to strike against the legs of the operator, and making the door inconvenient for use ,in places where limited space is available.

Moreoverprelatively heavy springs usually are employed for assisting in lifting the weight of the door, and the movable ends of such springs tension of the springs is usually reduced to zero at or before the point where the door reaches its overhead position, thus requiring the use of substantial force for moving the door to its fully open position. In order to provide a spring laction of such character that the springs are still under some tension when the door. reaches an overhead position, thesprings usually are 'strong` ly tensioned when' in closed position, thus requir ing that considerable force be expended toA move the door to fully closed posi-tion, and requiring the use of fastening means for holding the door against the tension of the springs.

In my copendingA application referred to I vhave disclosed a door operating mechanism which is highly practicable in operation, and which overcomes the inherent disadvantages referred to in doors of this general character. For example, lthe proportionate movements of the free ends of the springs are such that a considerable lifting force is exertedby the springs as the door approaches open position, and no means is. required for holding the door in closed position against the tension of the springs. Moreover, the outward swinging movement of the lower edge of the door is materially reduced, thus facilitating the operation ofthe door, and rendering it prac-V lticable for use in limitedspaces, such as narrow alleys, etc.

An important object of the present invention inmovement of the door between open and closed positions takes place with a greatly reduced movement of the free ends of the springs, thus reducing the necessary tension of the springs when in closed position, and permitting the' retention A`of a substantial spring lifting force to facilitate the movement of the door to open position.

A further object is to provide an apparatus of this character which is so designed as to facilitate installation whereby free movement of the door is provided when the doorways and other elements are not accurately placed.

A further object is to provide a novel automatic to provide a-door operating mechanism wherelatch mechanism operable when the door reaches the in openv position,

Figure '3 is a detail perspective View. of one of the roller lassemblies, l

Figure 4 is a section on lineI 4-4 of Figure 1,

Figure 5 is a detail perspective -view of a reach rod and associatedelements, and,

Figure 6 is a transverse section on line 6-6 of Figure 4. L ,f

` Referring to the drawings, the invention has been illustrated as being applied to agarage including a floor 10, a door frame 11 and roof 12, the interior of the garage being provided with the usual ceiling 13. As shown in Figures 4 and 6, opposite sides oi.' the door frame are provided with lower sealing strips 14, for a purpose to be described. A

Referring to Figures 4 and 6, the numeral l5 designates a pair of. channeled guides arrangedv adjacent each side of the door. One channel'of each pair is y,secured against the inner face of each side of the door frame, while the other channel of the pair- `is secured in spaced relation to the rst named channel by spacing studs 16. A pair of rollers 17 and 18 is arranged within each pair including the latch operable for holding the door of channels 15. The lower roller 18 is mounted Rails 54 are suspended from the ceiling by straps upon a stub shaft 19 passing through the arms of 55 on opposite sides of the door opening and near a yoke 20. The upper roller 17is similarly mountthe top thereof. The forward'ends of theserails 'ed upon a stub shaft 2-1 and this shaft extends are secured to the door frameby brackets 56. The through a yoke 22, similar to the yoke 20;, /dh/ Itrackways are substantially C-shaped, as shown stub shaft 21 projects beyond ,the yoke 22 and 1s\ in Figure 1, and are adapted to receive rollers 57.

preferablyi'ormed integral with ivy/plate 23, as shown in FigureM. 'I'heportion/s'f the yokes 20 and 22 projecting toward each/ other are preferably channeled-gto receive a. reach rod 24 secured thereto by fastening elements 25. The lower yoke `20 is provided at one /side with a. projecting arm 26 having an eye 27 formed at its free end for a. purpose to be described.v

A bracket 28 is secured against the inner face of each side of the door frame and is pivoted as at 29fto a connecting member 30. 'Ihe connecting member 30 is provided with an elongated cylindrical portion in which is arranged the lower end of a rod 31. This rod is threaded at its lower end for reception within nuts 32 engag'eable against the ends of the connecting member, as

-shown in Figure 4. The upper end of eachvrod .37 by means of which each` plate 23 may be se-n cured to one of the levers 35 in selected positions f with respect thereto. .It will be apparent that the connection between the levers `35 and the plates 23 causes the rollers 17 and 18 to move ver- 'tically along their guides when bodily vertical movement of the levers 35 takes place in a manner to be described. During such movement, the rods 31 act as links connecting one end of each lever 35 to the door frame whereby the levers are adapted to swing through fixed paths when partaking -of bodily vertical movement.

The other ends of the levers 35 are pivotally connected as at 38 to a bracket 39 secured to the lower end of a door 40. The apparatus is shown in the present Ainstance attached to a door made up v-of separate door sections secured together' by a connecting plate v41 and provided adjacent its lower edge with an angle iron bracing strip 42. It will be apparent however thatthe apparatus is applicable to a door of unitary or otherl construction. One bracket 39 is also pivotally connected as at 43 to a latch 44,' as clearly shown in Figure 2. The latch is provided with an elongated slot 45 y terminating at its lower/end' in an offset portion 46,/ adapted to receive a pin 47carried by the adjacent lever 35.- 'I'he free end of thelatch 44 is turned outwardly as at' 48 and is provided with an opening 49 adapted to receive a rod or similar depending handle 50 for operating the latch in a mannerto be described. Initial movemento'f the door awayl from open position is facilitated by the provision of a handle 50'. f

A cleat l. is .secured a'gainst theinner face of y the dor adjacent each edge and extending downwardly from the upper extremity ofthe door.

These cleats project beyond theedge of the door to overlap the door -frame and coact with the sealing strips 14 to act as weather stripping 'for the door. Each cleat 51 is provided .with a metal strip 52. secured against its inner face as shown in 'figures 1 and 4. The lower ends ot the metal strips 52 are curved away from'the door asv at 53 to engagethe strips 14 to assist in guidingthe door` accurately into position, with-the strips 14 and cleats 51 in vertical alinement 'with each` other. y

These rollersare of slightly less width than the space between the sides of the trackways to assist in preventing any binding action between these elements.

'll-.shaped brackets 58 are secured against the strips 52 near the upper ends thereof. One of these brackets and its associated elements is clearly shown in Figure 3 of the drawings. Each of the rollers 57 is rotatably mounted upon a shaft 59 extending through the arms of one of the brackets 58. A portion of the shaft 59 intermediate its ends is polygonal, as indicated at 60, and extends through a similarly shaped opening in one of the arms of the bracket 58. Nuts 61 are threaded onthe end of the shaft 59 which extends through the other arm of the bracket 58 and are adapted to be `clamped against opposite sides thereof. This construction permits the shaft 59 to'be longitudinally adjusted by proper manipulation of the nuts 61, while the shaft 59 is prevented from rotating, thuspreventing the nuts 61 from working loose in operation.

A hanger 62 is secured as at 63 to each of the rails54. TheJlower end of each hanger is preferablyoifset inwardly as shown in Figure 2 and is provided with a series of openings 63 vto selectively receive a transverse pin 64. 'Each pin 64 supports a spring clip 65 theends of which are adapted to engage beneath one of the upper turns of a coil spring 66. "I'hese springs are relatively long and substantially vertically arranged as shown in Figures 1 and 4, and have their lower ends engaging hooks 67 carried by threaded rods 68. lEach rod 68 extendsthrough one of the eyes 27 and is received in clamping nuts 69 engageable against the top and bottom faces of the eye 27. y

The operation of the apparatus is as follows:

The door normally occupies a closed position, in which it is vertically arranged against the strips -14, while the cleats or strips 51 lie against the inner faces of the vsides lof the door frame.

The arrangement ofthe strips 14 and 51 provides V35 toward the "door, thus V`tending to hold the lower edge of the door inwardly against the strips` 14 and hold the door inA closedfposition. Thus aside from a lock to prevent unauthorized opening 'of the door, nofastening means is necessary to hold the. door in closed position, 4since the' springs 66 are 'employed for this purpose.

j When it is desired to open the door, theoperator grasps thehandle A50' tox swing the lower edge of the door outwardly, whereupon the upper` ends of the rods 31 will move inwardly beyond the vertical plane referred to, and the upperends Aoi! therods 31 free to swing inwardly as the springs 66 transmit a lifting,movement to the levers 35 throughthe reach rods 24 and assov 'ciateclelements. As this vertical movement takes 75 place, the rollers 17 and 18 obviously roll in the guides 15.

Since the lower ends of the rods 31 are connected to xed pivot points, it will 4'rie apparent thaty the ends 33 of these rods swing through iixed arcs, and accordingly the opposite ends of the levers 35 are caused to move through fixed predetermined paths as the shafts 21 transmit verticalv bodily movement to the levers 35. Doors of this general character usually are constructed in such a manner that the lower edges of the doors partake of movement about an arc of a circle oi' substantial radius, and accordingly the doors swing outwardly a considerable distance from their door openings. Such constructions are disadvantageous for the reasons previously referred to, and such disadvantages are overcome to a considerable extent with the present construction.l

It will be noted that the outward swinging movement of the lower edge of the door is determined by the distance between the edge of the door and the shafts 21, while the vertical movement of the edge of the door will be equal to twice the distance between the edge of the door and the ends 33 of the rods 31. Accordingly it will be apparent thatthe free edge of the door partakes of a substantially elliptical movement, thus minimizing the outward movement of the door when it is moved to'open position.

It will be apparent that the rollers 57 travel in the trackways 54 as the door moves toward open position. During such movement, it will be apparent that the springs 66 constantly tend to lift the lower edge of the door to its overhead position. The operating mechanisms for doors of the overhead swinging type usually are limited to the use of relatively short springs which are maintained under relatively great tension when the doors are closed, but which lose their tension before the doors reach open position due to the..

proportionate travel ofl the lower ends of the springs. Such constructions .not only require that the springs be arranged under considerable tension when the doors are closed, but they also require that a greater lifting force be transmitted manually to the doors to move theml to fully open position due to the loss in tension of the springs as the open position is approached.

With the present construction it will be apparentthat springs of a length nearly equal to the height of the door may be employed, and since the vertical movement of the free edge of the door is substantially greater than the movement of the shafts 21, a materially shorter proportionate movement of the free .ends of the springs is required, thus permitting these springs to remain under tension throughout the movement i -of th door, and thus greatly facilitating the movement of the door to fully open position. In

angle between thelevers 35 and the door gradually increases until theseelements reach the relative angular positions shown A in vFigure 2. During who install the apparatus.

such movement, the pin 47 of the latch mechanism. travels downwardly through the slot 45 of the latch 44, and when the fully open door position is reached, the pin 47 will be in registration with the oiset end 46 of the latch slot,v and the latch will drop to the position shown in Figure 2. The pin 47 under such conditions is in the lower extremity of the latch slot, and accordingly further movement of the door f is prevented.'

Accordingly the operator need not move the door an unnecessary distance when swinging it. back to closed position, and the latch mechanism also functions to prevent the rollers 57 from traveling beyond their desired maximum limits of travel.

The latch mechanism, moreover, prevents accidental movement of the door to closed position, since the arrangement of the pin 47 in the offset end 46 of the latch slot prevents downward movement of the free edge of the door until the latch is released. It will be noted that the latch readily may be released merely by pulling outwardly onoperation of a door extremely diicult. Withthe present construction, a dragging edge of the door readily may be lifted by turning one of the lower `V`nuts 3 2 downwardly and then similarly operating the corresponding upper nut 32, thus lifting-the rod 3l and transmitting a suii'icient lifting movement to the adjacent edge of the door to prevent it from dragging upon the ground. The'mounting of the rollers 57 also permits'these members i to be properly adjusted for individual installations. lThe polygonal portion 60 of each roller shaft prevents turning movement thereof, but such polygonal shaft'portions are slidable in the arms of the brackets 58 through which they lextend. Accordingly the rollers 57 :may be adjusted axially by proper manipulation of the nuts 61, and accordingly the rollers may be prevented from dragging against the sides of their respective trackways.

It is to be understood that the form of the' invention herewith shown and described is t'o be taken as a preferred examplel of the same and that various changes in the shape, size and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing'from the spirit ofthe invention or the scope of thesubjoined claims.`

Iclaim:

1. The combination with a. door frame and a door adapted to assume a vertical position in said frame to form -a clo'suretherefor, of trackway means for supporting the upper end of the door for movement substantially laterally away from the .door frame, a lever connected at one end to the door4 frame and at its lother end to the lower end of the door, elongated depending means connected at its upperend to said, lever, and a spring having its upper end xed adjacentthe top'of the doorlfraime and its lower end connected -to said depending means at a point spaced a substantial" distance from-the upper end thereof.

2. The combination with a door frame and 'a 'door'adapted to assume a. vertical position in said frameto form a closure therefor, of trackway means for supportingthe upper end of the door for movement substantially laterally away from the door frame, a lever connected' at one end to, the' lower end of the door, a relatively long link connected between the other end ofthe lever and the door frame, a depending reach rod pivotally connected to said lever intermediate `the ends thereof, and a spring having its upper end nxed adjacent the top `of the' door frame and its lower end connected to the lower end of said reach rod. 3; The combination with a door frame and 'a door adapted to assume a. vertical position in said frame to form a closure therefor, of trackway means for supporting the upper end of the door for movement substantially laterally away from the door frame, and operating means for eacl`r\ edge ofthe door, each operating means comprising a lever connected at one end to the lower end of the door',` a relatively long link connected between the other end of the lever and the door frame, a vertical guide, a reach rod .vertically arranged in said guide, rollers carried by the ends of said reach rod and vertically slidable in said guide, the upper end'of said reach rod being piv- ,otally connected to said lever intermediate its ends, and a relatively long spring fixed at its upper end adjacent the top of the door frame and connected at its lower end to the lower end of said reach rod.

4. The combination with 'a door frame and a door adapted to assume a vertical position in said frame to form a closure therefor, of trackway means for supporting the upper end of the door for Vmovement substantially laterally away from `the door frame, a. lever connected at one end to the lower end of the door, operating means connected to said lever for effecting movement of the lowerend of the door in a fixed Apath to an overhead position, a latch pivotally connected -to the door at a-point spaced from the point of eonnec tion thereof with said lever. said' latch'being provided with a slot, and a pin carried-by said lever and operable in said slot and engageable with one end thereof when the door reaches its overhead position for limiting the movement of the door beyond such position.

5. The combination with a door frame and a door adapted to assume a'vertical position in said frame to form a closure therefor, of trackway means for supporting the upper end of the door for movement' substantially laterally away from the door frame, a bracket carried by the door adjacent its lower edge, a lever pivotally connected at one end to said bracket, operating means, connected to said lever for effecting-movement of the lower. end ofthe door in a fixed path to an overhead position, a latch pivotally connected to said bracket at a point spacedfrom the pivotal connection thereof with said lever, said latch being provided with a longitudinal slot'having a' transverse extension in the end thereof remote from the pivot of the' latch, and a pin carried by said lever and operable in said slot, said latch being movable `downwardly by gravity when the door reaches its overhead position wherebythe transverse extension. of said slot receives said pin to prevent movement of the door in either direction.

6. Thecombination with a door'frame and a door adapted to assume -avertical positionV in said frame to form a closure therefor, pt trackway means for supporting the-upper end of the door 'for movement 'substantially laterally away fromfthe doorrframe, Va lever connected@ at one f4 75 ena-toungmmapztheamnmaveulons 'primmknymmmfmwum link pivotally connected at one end to the other end ofthe lever, a connecting member pivoted to the door frame and provided with an opening therethrough, the other end of said link being threaded and extending through said opening, nuts threaded ox the last named end of said link and engaging respectively againstthe top and bottom of said connecting member, and spring means tending to exert a lifting force upon said lever intermediate the ends thereof.

7. The combination with a door frame and a door adapted to assume a vertical position in said frame to form a closure therefor, of track- .way means for supporting the upper end oi. the

therethrough to receive the other end of said link nuts threaded o n the last named end of said link and engaging respectively against the top and bottom of said connecting member, said lever being adapted to assume a substantially vertical position when the door .is in such position, a vertical reach rod pivotally connected at its upper end to said lever, and a spring fixed at its upper en d adjacent the top of the door frame and connected at its lower end to the lower end of said reach rod.

, 8. Apparatus of the character described comprising means for supporting the upper end of a door for movenient substantially laterally away from a door frame,ra lever connected at one end to the door frame and at its other end to the lower end of the door, elongateddepending means connected at its upper end to said lever intermepending means at a point spaceda substantial distance from the upper end thereof'. Y

9. Apparatus of the character described comprising trackway means for supporting the upper end of a door for movement substantially laterally away from adoor frame, a lever connected at one end to the 'lower end of the door, a relatively long link connected between the other end of the lever and the door frame, a depending reach rod pivotally connected to said lever intermediate the ends thereof, a vertical guide for said reach rod. and a spring having its upper end fixed adjacent the top of the door frame and its lower end connected to the lower end of said reach rod. l

10. Apparatus of the character described comprising trackway means for supporting the upper end of a door for movement substantially laterally away from the door frame, and operating lmeans for each edge of the door, each operating to vthe lower end of the door, a relatively l means comprising a lever connected at one g being pivotally connected to saidlever intermedi-4 ate the ends thereof, and a relatively long'sprlng xedatitsupperendadjacentthetopofthe' doorframe and connected atitalowerendtothe lower end of said reach md. Y

11. Apparatuur! the character deacribcdcomprising trackway meansfor supporting thel upper end of a door for movement substantially laterally away from the door frame, a lever connected at one end to the lower end of the door, operating means connected to said lever for effecting movement of the lower end of the door in a xed path to an overhead position, a latch pivotally connected to the door at a point spaced from the point of connection thereof with said lever, said latch being provided with a slot, and a pin carried by said lever and operable in said slot and engageable with one end thereof when the door reaches its overhead position for limiting the movement of the door beyond such position.

12. Apparatus of the character described comprising' trackway means for supporting the upper end of a door for movement substantially laterally away from a door frame, a bracket carried by the door adjacent its lower edge, a lever pivotally connected at one end to said bracket, operating means connected to said lever for effecting movement of the lower end of the door in a fixed path to an overhead position, a latchpivotally connected `to said bracketat a point spaced from. the pivotal connection thereof with said lever, said latch being provided with a longitudinal slot having a transverse extensin in the end thereof remote from the pivot of the latch, and a pix'1 carried by said lever and operable in said slot, said latch being movable downwardly by gravity when the door reaches its overhead position whereby the transverse extension vof said slot receives said pin to prevent movement of the door in either direction.

13. Apparatus of the character described comend of a. door formovement substantiallylaterally away from the door frame, a lever connected at one end to the lower end of the door, a relatively long link pivotally con-nected at'one end to the other end ofl the lever, a connecting member pivoted to the door frame and provided withan opening therethrough to receive the other end" of said link, nuts threaded on the last named end of said link and engaging respectively against the top and bottom of said connecting member, and spring means tending to exert a lifting force upon said lever intermediate the ends thereof.

14. Apparatus of the character described comprising trackway means for supporting the upper end of a door for movement substantially laterally away from a door frame, a lever-connected at one end to the lower end of the door, afrelatively long link pivotally connected at one end to the other end of the lever, a connecting member pivoted to the door frame and provided with an opening therethrough to receive thev other e'nd of said link, nuts threaded on the last named end of said link and engaging respectively against the y top and bottom of said connecting member, said lever being adapted to assume a substantially ,verrtical position when the door is in such position, a

'vertical reach rod pivotally connected at its upper endv to-said lever intermediate the ends thereof, and a spring xed at its upper end adjacent the top of the door frame and connected at itslower end to the lowerend of said reach rod.'

. lFRANK J. SULLIVAN.

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