US2846713A - Door check - Google Patents

Description

12, 1958 D. SHANKWILER 2,846,713

DOOR CHECK Filed May 24, 1956 INVENTOR. J07? 5247712011 DOOR CHECK Don Shanlrwiler, Highland Park, Mich.

Application May 24, 1956, Serial No. 597,017

11 Claims. (Cl. 16-83) This invention relates to door checks and, more par-- ticularly, to an improved relatively small door check of the type which arrests the rate of closing of a door relative to a door jamb.

An important object of the invention is the provision of an improved door check which is preeminently efficient in arresting the rate of movement in closing of a door or the like and which is effective to ease the door into the closed position independently of the force of closure imparted to the door.

Another important object of the invention is the provision of an improved door check which is reliable in operation and which functions to check the final movements of the door toward closing to prevent slamming thereof irrespective of the speed with which the door is moved to the closed position.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved door check of relatively few parts which is economical of manufacture and rugged of construction.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved door check incorporating improved shock absorber means which is arranged to be interposed between the door and the door jamb so as to cushion the impact therebetween whenever the force of closure imparted to the door equals or exceeds a predetermined value and which is arranged to be moved clear of the door jamb whenever the force of closure imparted to the door is less than the mentioned predetermined value.

The above as well as other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description, the appended claims and the accompanynig drawing, wherein:

Figure l is a front elevation of one form of the door check embodying the invention, showing the same affixed to a door;

Fig. 2 is a horizontal sectional view of the structure of Fig. 1, taken on the line 22 thereof, the arrangement of the jamb on the door opening being shown in section with relation to the door check in one of the final positions of the door in the movement of the same toward closing;

Figs. 3 and 4 are horizontal sectional views similar to Fig. 2 showing the arrangement of the door check with respect to the door jamb when a predetermined force of closure is imparted to the door, and when the door is in the final closed position, respectively;

Fig. 5 is a horizontal sectional view of a modified form of construction of the door check embodying the invention and showing the same aflixed to a door, the relative positions of the door check with respect to the door jamb being shown in solid section and in outline in one and another of the final positions of the door in the movement of the same toward closing;

Fig. 6 is a horizontal sectional view similar to Fig. 5 when the door is in the final closed position; and

Fig. 7 is a sectional view taken along the line 77 of the structure of Fig. 5.

Referring to the drawing, door checks embodying the invention are adapted for mounting on the inside surface of a door adjacent the free end thereof and are constructed and arranged to arrest the rate of movement in closing of a door or the like. In the forms of the invention illustrated, the door check is shown afiixed to a door of well known construction, the hinged end of which is mounted to pivot about a vertical axis adjacent one vertical side or jamb of the door opening and the free end of the door is adapted to be swung to the closed position adjacent the opposite vertical side or jamb of the door opening. However, it should be understood that the door check is adapted for use in conjunction with other quite dissimilar door constructions and for use with moving parts of structures other than doors which are actuable from open to closed positions and wherein it is desirable to check the rate of closing of the moving part.

The door check embodying the invention has means adapted to engage a jamb of the door opening in the final movements of the door toward closing and the said means comprises, among other structure, a block member formed of elastomeric material, means being provided for mounting the block member on the inside surface of the door. In the closing movements of the door, means are arranged to interpose the block member between the inside surface of the door and the door jamb whenever a predetermined force of closure is imparted to the door. For accomplishing this function, a cam member is operatively associated with the block member and is adapted to move the block member bodily clear of the door jamb when less force of closure than the mentioned predetermined force is imparted to the door, the cam member and the block member in this instance moving as a unit. When, however, the force ofclosure imparted to the door equals or exceeds a predetermined force, the cam member is adapted to move relative to the block member so that the block member is interposed between the door and the jamb of the door opening to absorb the shock of impact therebetween. The relative movement between the cam member and the block member is efiected by means of a resilient means which is transversely disposed with respect to the bi -l member. In one embodiment of the door check, the resilient means is an integral portion of the block men: and in another embodiment the resilient means is in the form of a compression spring. In each embodiment the cam member pivots relative to the block member.

Referring to the structure in more detail and specifically to the embodiment of the door check illustrated in Figs. 1-4, the means adapted to eng e the jamb of the door opening in ti e tinalclosing movements of the door comprises a block member, generally designated 9, suitably formed of elastomeric material. The block member 9 has an inner side ll and an outer side 13 spaced longitudinally of the block member from the inner side llll. A cam member, generally designated 15, is associated With the block member 9 and has one end 15a pivotally mounted substantially in the plane of one face 17 of the block member 9. The other end of the cam member defines a cam surface 15b which extends beyond the outer side 13 longitudinally of the block member 9 and in the normal position of the cam member 15 the cam surface 15b is in front of the total extent of the outer side 13. In the instance shown, the cam member 15 is centrally disposed with respect to the block member h, and the cam surface 15!) thereof is arcuately shaped and extends continually outwardly of the outer side 13 from the one face 17 to the other face id of the block member 9. The other end of the cam member defining the cam surface 15b terminates in an inturned portion disposed inwardly of the outer side 13 in a centrally disposed recess, a wall of which is designated 21.

in the embodiment shown in Figs. l4, the outer side 13 of the block member is defined by two portions 911, integral with the block member 9 and separated on: from the other to define the central recess referred to. A third portion of the block member, generally designated 9b, is disposed between and integrally united with each of the portions 9a, and is shorter in dimension longitudinally of the block member to form the wall 21 of the central recess. The portion 9!) of the block member 9 forms a resilient means permitting pivotal movement of the cam member relative to the block member 9. An aperture 23 is provided in portion 915 of the block member through which a rivet pin 25 extends. One end of the rivet pin 25 extends through and is fianged over the end of the cam member, as at 25a, functioning as a stop means to retain the cam member permanently associated with the block member 9. The end 15a of the cam member extends over the major area of the portion 9/) substantially in the plane of the face 17 of the blocl; member and is yieldably urged by the portion 9b against the flanged end 25a of the pin 25. A force applied to the cam surface 15/) transversely of the block member 9 to the left as viewed in Fig. 2, pivots the cam member 15 about the flanged end 25a against the urging of the resilient means formed by the portion 9b of the block member to permit movement of the cam member relative to the block mem her 9. The other end of the pin is similarly flanged over a hinge plate 27 contiguous with the face 19 of the block member to secure the block member 9 and the cam member 15 to the hinge plate 27. Additional securing means is provided in the form of a pair of similarly arranged rivet pins 29 each of which is disposed on one side of the rivet pin 25 to insure retention of the block member 9 on the hinge plate 27.

The hinge plate 27 is pivotally connected to a hinge plate 31 by a pivot connection, generally designated 33, forming a pivot axis for the block member 9 and the cam member The pivot connection 33, in the instance shown, comprises a pivot pin 35 extending through the apertured connecting portions 27a and 31a for the hinge plates 27 and 31, respectively. concentrically disposed about the pivot pin 35 and centrally of the connecting portions 31a, is resilient means, generally designated 37, in the form of a coil spring 39, one end of which engages the hinge plate 27, as at 41, and the other end of which engages the hinge plate 31 as at 43. The hinge plate 31 has apertures for receiving securing means in the form of wood screws in the instance shown for affixing the hinge plate 31 to the inside surface of a door, as at 10, adjaccnt the free end 19a thereof. The resilient means 37 yieldably urges the hinge plate 27 toward the free end 181: of the door so that the outer side 13 of the block member and the cam surface 15b of the cam member are obliquely disposed with respect to a corner 16 of the door jamb. The door jamb is generally designated 12 and the corner 16 is formed, in the instance shown, by a molding 14 against which the inside surface of the door at the free end 1011 comes to rest. In this position, a portion of the inner side 11 of the block member abuts with the inside surface of the door and the longitudinal axis of the block member 9 makes an acute angle with the inside surface of the door inwardly of the free end 10:: since the door is nearly parallel with the plane of the door opening in the final closing movements of the door.

in the operation of the embodiment of the door check illustrated in Figs. l4, when less force of closure than a predetermined force is imparted to the door, the cam surface 15]) engages the corner 16 of the door jamb in the final movements of the door toward closing. The relative position of the door check with respect to the door jamb .vhen the cam surface 15b has engaged the corner 16 is shown in one position in Fig. 2. Continued movement of the door toward closing continues the engage- 4 ment of the cam surface 151; with the corner 16 of the door jamb whereupon the corner 16 rides on the cam surface 15b. The reactive forces developed at the corner 16 against the cam surface 151) pivots the cam member 15 and consequently the block member 9 bodily about the pivot axis defined by the pivot connection 33, against the urging of the resilient means 37. The block member 9 is thus moved clear of the door jarnb and the door is gently eased into its final closed position as shown in Fig. 4

wherein the door check assumes a position in the door opening inwardly of the corner 16 adjacent the door jamb.

The term force of closure" as used throughout the specification and in the appended claims is intended to mean the force with which the door is actuated toward the closed position and, for a given weight or mass of the door, the acceleration as well as the rate of movement of the door is embraced by the term since a corresponding increase in the acceleration or in the rate of movement of the door occurs when the force of closure imparted to the door increases.

Whenever the force of closure imparted to the door exceeds a predetermined force, the block member 9 is interposed between the door jamb and the inside surface of the door. When the above occurs the door check then assumes a position with respect to the door jamb substantially as that shown in Fig. 3. During this movement of the door, the cam member 15 is pivoted about its end 15a with respect to the block member 9 against the urging of the resilient means in the form of the portion 911 of the block member. Pivotal movement of the cam member 15 is effected by the actuation of the cam surface 151) transversely of the block member 9 to the left as viewed in Fig. 2 by the reactive forces developed at the corner 16 thereagainst. The cam surface 15b assumes a position substantially as that shown in Fig. 3, and in this position, portions, as at 47, of the outer side 13 of the block member are clear of the cam surface 15b, i. e., the cam surface 15b does not extend in front of the portions 47. The portions 47 of the outer side 13 of the blocl; member are the first to strike the corner 16 while the inner side 11 of the block member abuts with the inside surface of the door. The block member 9 absorbs the shock of impact which would otherwise occur between the door and the door jamb, and the properties of the material of the block member are such as to cause the door to rebound from the door jamb. The force of closure of the door following the rebound is considerably reduced and, if below the predetermined force of closure, the door will be eased into the closed position by pivotal movement of the block member 9 clear of the door jamb through the engagement of the cam surface 15 by the corner 16 of the door jamb against the urging of the resilient means 37 as described. The force of closure at which the block member 9 is interposed between the door and the door jamb is predeterminedly selected by design of the door check, taking into consideration, among other factors, the relative resistance to bodily pivotal movement of the block member and cam member developed by the resilient means 37, the resistance to pivotal movement of the cam member 15 with respect to the block member 9 developed by the resilient means in the form of the portion 9b of the block member, by the distance that the cam surface 15 extends beyond the outer side 13 of the block member, and by the shape of cam surface.

Referring now to the embodiment shown in Figs. 57, the construction and operation is similar to the previous embodiment except that the block member, generally designated 51, is formed of two separate portions 510 of elastomeric material spaced one from the other as shown in Fig. 7, and the resilient means transversely of the block member is in the form of a compression spring constructed and arranged as will be described. In this embodiment each of the portions 51a of the block member is secured to the hinge plate 27 by a rivet pin 53 which extends through the portion 51a and has one end flanged over the hinge plate 27. The other end of each rivet pin 53 is flanged over stop means in the form of a bracket member 55 which lies substantially in the plane of the face 19 of the block member 51 and extends across the space between the two portions 51a. A pin 59 is provided which extends from the bracket member 55 through an aperture in the end 15a of the cam member 15 and into the space between the portions 51a. Resilient means, generally designated 61, operates transversely of the block member 51 and, in the instance shown, is a compression spring 63 coaxially disposed with respect to the pin 59 so as to be guided thereby. One end of the spring 61 bears against the hinge plate 27 and the other end urges the end 15a of the cam member against the bracket member 55. The cam member 15 is thus mounted for pivotal movement with respect to the block member 51 and actuation of the cam surface 15b thereof to the left as viewed in Fig. pivots the cam member 15 against the urging of the compression spring 63, the bracket member 55 serving as a fulcrum for the edge of the end 15a of the cam member. The cam surface 15b in the normal position thereof extends in front of and beyond the outer side 65 longitudinally of the block member 51 and has the configuration substantially as described. The resilient means 37 functions to yieldably urge the block member 51 toward the free end litla of the door so that the cam surface 15b and the outer side 65 of the block member are obliquely disposed with respect to the corner 16 of the door jamb and the inner side 67 of the block member abuts the inside surface of the door as previously described. The inner side 67 may be tapered as shown for this purpose.

In operation of the embodiment of the invention shown in Figs. 5-7, the pivotal movement of the cam member 15 with respect to the block member 51 is against the urging of the compression spring 63. The relation between the door check and the door jamb in one position of the door in the final closing movements thereof is shown in solid section in Fig. 5. When less force of clostu'e than a predetermined force is imparted to the door, the corner 16 of the door jamb engages the cam surface 151) so that the reactive forces on the cam surface 151), as the door continues to move toward closed position, pivots the cam member 15 and the block member 51 bodily against the urging of the resilient means 37 to clear the block member of the door jamb whereupon the door is eased into final closed position, as shown in Fig. 6. Where, however, the force of closure imparted to the door equals or exceeds the predetermined force, the cam surface 15b effects movement of the cam to the left, as viewed in Fig. 5, relative to the block member and the cam assumes the position indicated by the reference numeral 15b, pivotal movement of the cam member with respect to the block member taking place against the urging of the spring 63. Portions of'the outer side 65 of the block member 51 are thus disposed outwardly of the cam surface 15b and engage the corner 16 while the inner side 67 of the block member 51 abuts the inside surface of the door. The force of impact is absorbed by the block member 51 and the properties of the same are such that the door rebounds from the door jamb and again approaches the closed position with reduced force of closure. If the force of closure with which the door returns from the rebound equals or exceeds the predetermined force of closure, the operation described will repeat itself until the force of closure with which the door approaches the door jamb is below the predetermined force. in this event, the door will be eased into the final closed position with the block member 51 being moved bodily clear of the door jamb by the cooperation of the cam surface 151; with the corner 16 of the door jamb.

While preferred embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it will be understood that various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is:

l. A door check for mounting on a door, said door check having means adapted to engage the door jamb in the final movement of the door toward closed position, said means comprising a resilient block and a cam member having a cam surface engageable with the door jamb during the final movement of the door toward closed position, means for mounting said block member and said cam member on the inside surface of the door adjament the free vertical edge thereof so that said block member and said cam surface are obliquely disposed with respect to a corner of the door jamb, means permitting relative movement between said block member and said cam member so as to interpose said block member between the inside surface of the door and said corner when a predetermined force of closure is imparted to the door whereby said cam member will pivot said block member clear of the door jamb when less force of closure than said predetermined force is imparted to the door and said block member will assume a position adjacent the door jamb inwardly of said corner when the door is in the fully closed position.

2. A door check for mounting on a door, said door check having means adapted to engage the door jamb in the final movement of the door toward closed position, said means comprising a block member formed of elastomeric material and having an inner side and an outer side spaced from said inner side longitudinally of said block member, and a cam member having a cam surface extending beyond said outer side longitudinally of said block member, means pivotally mounting said block member and said cam member on the inside surface of the door about a pivot axis adjacent the free vertical edge thereof, a first resilient means yieldably urging said block member and said cam member about said pivot axis in one direction so that said block member and said cam surface are obliquely disposed with respect to a corner of the door jamb, a second resilient means permitting relative movement between said block member and said cam member so as to interpose said block member between the inside surface of the door and said corner when a predetermined force of closure is imparted to the door, said cam surface engaging said corner upon actuation of the door with the predetermined force of closure whereupon said second resilient means functions to permit movement of said cam surface transversely of said block member so that a portion of said outer side of said block member strikes said corner while a portion of said inner side of said block member abuts the inside surface of the door, said cam surface engaging said corner upon actuation of the door with less force of closure than said predetermined force whereupon said cam member functions to pivot said block member bodily about said pivot axis in a direction opposite to said one direction against the urging of said first resilient means to assume a position adjacent the door jamb inwardly of said corner when said door is in the closed position.

3. A door check for mounting on a door and adapted to engage the jamb of the door opening in the final movement of the door toward closed position, said door check comprising a block member formed of elastomeric material and having an inner and an outer side, said outer side being spaced from said inner side longitudinally of said block member, a cam member centrally disposed with respect to said block member and having a cam surface extending in a first position in front of and beyond said outer side longitudinally of said block member,

means pivotally mounting said block member and said cam member on the inside surface of the door about a pivot axis adjacent the free end thereof, a first resilient means yieldably urging said cam member and said block member bodily about said pivot axis in one direction so that said block member and said cam surface are obliquely disposed with respect to a corner of the door jamb and so that a portion of said inner side of said block member 7 abuts with the inside surface of the door, a second resilient means normally biasing said cam member so that said cam surface is in said first position and permittng pivotal movement of said cam member relative to said block member so as to interpose said block member between the inside surface of the door and said corner when a predetermined force of closure is imparted to the door whereby said cam member will move said block member clear of the door jamb when less fore of closure than a predetermined force is imparted to the door.

4. The invention according to claim 3 wherein the longitudinal axis of said block member makes an acute angle with the inside surface of the door inwardly of the free end thereof in the normal position of said block member by the urging of said first resilient means and wherein said block member comprises two portions separated one from the other inwardly of said outer side forming a recess and wherein portions of said cam surface are operatively disposed in said recess to move transversely of said block member.

5. The invention according to claim 4 further including stop means fixed with respect to said block substantially in the plane of one face of said block member and wherein the said second resilient means is transversely disposed with respect to said block member inwardly of said recess and yicldably urges one end of said cam member against said stop means and wherein the other end portion of said cam member defines said cam surface and is arcuately shaped extending in said first position of said cam surface from said one face continually outwardly from said outer side to the other face of said block member.

6. The invention according to claim 5 wherein the said mounting means comprises a first hinge plate secured to said block member along said other face, a second hinge plate, and means pivotally connecting said first and second hinge plates including a pivot pin, said first resilient means including a helical spring concentrically disposed about said pivot pin and having one end engaging said first hinge plate and the other end engaging said second hinge plate.

7. The invention according to claim 6 wherein the construction and arrangement of said first and second resilient means with respect to each other is such that the resistance to pivotal movement of said block member and said cam member bodily about said pivot axis developed by said first resilient means is less than the resistance to pivotal movement of said cam member with respect to said block member developed by said second resilient means when said cam surface engages said corner of the door jamb.

8. The invention according to claim 7 wherein the said two portions of said block member are separated one from the other over the entire length longitudinally of said block member and wherein said second resilient means comprises a compression spring disposed in the space between said two portions of said block member, one end of said spring engaging said one end of said cam member and the other end of said spring engaging said first hinge plate.

9. The invention according to claim 8 wherein said stop means comprises a bracket member lying substantially in the plane of said one face of said block member and extending across said space between said two portions of said block member, a rivet pin extending through each of said two portions of said block member and having one end secured to said first hinge plate and the other end secured to said bracket member, and a pin projecting centrally from said bracket member through said one end of said cam member into said space so as to be disposed within said compression spring for guiding the movement thereof.

10. The invention according to claim 4 wherein said second resilient means comprises a third portion of elastomeric material disposed between and integrally united with said two portions of said block member, said third portion forming a wall of said recess and having one face engaging said one end of said cam member and having the other face engaging said first hinge plate.

11. The invention according to claim 10 further including stop means comprising a rivet pin extending through said third portion of block member and having one end sccured to said first hinge plate, the other end of said rivet pin extending through and flanged over said one end of said cam member, said other flanged end of said rivet pin lying substantially in the plane of said one face of said block member.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,040,360 Lee Oct. 8, 1912 1,699,189 Hoen Jan. 15, 1929 2,541,179 Sponsler Feb. 13, 1951

Images