US3182349A

US3182349A - Hydraulic door closer

Info

Publication number: US3182349A
Application number: US287641A
Authority: US
Inventors: Kaloust P Sogoian
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1963-06-13
Filing date: 1963-06-13
Publication date: 1965-05-11
Anticipated expiration: 1982-05-11

Description

May 11, 1965 K. P. SOGOIAN HYDRAULIC DOOR CLOSER Filed June 13, 1965 &2

b ll

. INVENTOR. KALOUST P. Soeomu v TTORNEYS United States Patent 3,182,349 HYDRAULIC DOGR CLOSER Kaloust P. Sogoian, 23633 Berg Road, Southfield, Mich. Filed June 13, 1963, Ser. No. 287,641 18 Claims. ((31. 16-52) This invention relates to hydraulic door closers such as are used for light-weight doors around the home and in light commercial installations.

A major problem limiting the use of conventional hydraulic door closers for home and light commercial use which use a cylinder and piston is the difficulty in producing a seal between the piston rod and the cylinder housing into which the piston rod extends. It has heretofore been necessary to carefully machine the piston rod in order to insure that a proper seal is provided. Such machining adds substantially to the cost of the door closer and thereby limits its use. Another problem in such closers is that any lateral force on the piston rod which is not also transmitted to the cylinder housing tends to cause leakage because of the relative radial or lateral movement between the piston rod and the cylinder housing. Another problem in such closers is that as the piston rod is withdrawn from the cylinder, the vacuum is created because of the difference in volume. This vacuum tends to cause an erratic action.

It is an object of this invention to provide a hydraulic door closer which obviates the aforementioned problems.

. It is a further object of the invention to provide such a door closer which will not leak because of a radial force on the piston rod or cylinder housing.

It is a further object of the invention to provide such a door closer wherein the tendency to create a vacuum within the cylinder when the piston rod is withdrawn is substantially eliminated.

It is a further object of the invention to provide such a door closer which can be manufactured at relatively low cost.

It is a further object of the invention to provide such a door closer which incorporates novel sealing means between the piston rod and the cylinder housing.

It is a further object of the invention to provide such a door closer which incorporates a novel sealing means at the end thereof remote from the piston rod.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary sectional view of a door closer embodying the invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the door closer in position on a door and jamb.

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view on an enlarged scale of the left-hand portion of the door closer shown in FIG. 1, parts being broken away.

FIG. 4 is a side view of a part shown in FIGS. 1 and 3. FIG. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view on an enlarged 'scale of another portion of the door closer shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view on an enlarged scale of still another portion of the door closer shown in FIG. 1. I I

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary sectional view on an enlarged scale of the right-hand portion of the door closer shown in FIG. 1.

. Referring to FIGS. land 2, a door closer 10 embodying the invention comprises a tubular cylinder housing 11 which as shown is preferably circular in cross section and has one end thereof closed by a sheet metal plug 13, as presently described, and pivoted to a bracket 14 which is fixed on a door jamb 15.

A piston rod 16 has one end thereof projecting within the interior chamber of the housing 11 and the other end thereof extending outwardly through the other end of the housing 11, opposite plug 13, and pivotally connected to a bracket 17 which is fastened to a door 18.

A valve assembly 19 is fixed on the inner end of piston rod 16 and is herein shown as comprising a U-shaped piston 20 in which a rubber disc 21 is positioned for limited axial movement between the flanges 22, 23. Disc 21 is provided with an axial opening 24 and flange 23 is provided with a small restricted opening 25. By this arrangement, as the door is opened and the piston rod 16 moves to the right relative to the casing 11, disc 21 assumes the position shown in FIG. 6 permitting hydraulic fluid to flow readily from the rod end of the piston through opening 25 and around the periphery of flange 23 through openings 24 to the piston end of the casing 11. At the same time, a spring 25 is compressed. When the door is released, the spring 25 returns the piston, the piston rod and the door to their original positions. However, at the beginning of this return motion, the elastic disc 21 is shifted axially to the right as shown in FIG. 1 closing the annular space between the periphery of the flange 23 and the interior surface of the housing 11 so that hydraulic fluid can only flow in the opposite direction through

openings

24 and 25. This throttles the flow so that the door is closed gradually without slamming.

In accordance with the invention, the seal between the piston rod 16 and the casing 11 includes a separable sealing tube 26 which may comprise a tube of aluminum or the like which is extruded and has a thickness on the order of 0.022 of an inch. The tube 26 has an interior diameter greater than the exterior diameter of the piston rod 16 and extends from the rod end of the housing 11 axially inwardly. The piston rod 16 is, in turn, formed with a groove 27 .in which a rubber or other resilient sealing gasket 28 is positioned. Behind the gasket 28 a split ring 29 of low-friction, relatively incompressible plastic material such as nylon, Delrin, or Teflon is positioned. Gasket 28 and ring 29 are preferably square in cross section.

Referring to FIG. 7, the sealing tube 26 is provided at its outer end with a radially extending flange 30 that engages the inner surface of an end wall 31 held in position on the end of the housing 11 by turning the end of the housing inwardly as at 32. A resilient disc 33 is provided adjacent the other surface of the flange 34 and extends radially inwardly into sealing engagement with the outer periphery of the sealing tube 26 and radially outwardly into sealing engagement with the inner surface 34 of the casing 11. As shown in FIG. 7, the end wall 30 includes an inwardly embossed portion 35 that directly engages an annular surface of the disc 33 around the periphery of flange St A retainer ring 36 engages the opposed surface of the disc 33 and is yieldingly urged into engagement with disc 33 by the end 37 of spring 25. As further shown in FlG. 7, the radially innermost annular portion 38 of the retainer ring 36 is embossed axially inwardly providing a space 39 on the order of 5 or 6 thousandths of an inch so that the tube 26 is capable of some limited angular movement relative to the casing. The inner periphery 4d of the retainer 36 is spaced from the outer surface of the sealing tube 26 so that the tube is. also capable oflimited radial movement relative to the piston rod 16.

In operation, the seal between the rod 16 and the housa ing 11 is provided by the sealing gasket 28 and the inner radial forces, The relative radial movement of the rod with respect to the tube 26 is limited by the plastic ring 29.

'In the event that a radial force is provided which tends to displace the piston rod relative to the casing 11, the

flange B ll is free .to move radially without loss of the seal either with respect to the rod or with respect to the casing. Since a much smaller portion of the length of the rod extends into the fluid containing portion of the cylinder, there is a much lesser tendency to create a vacuum when the piston rod is withdrawn thereby obviating the erratic action that occurs due to a creation of such a vacuum.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the end cap 13 includes a radial wall 40 and an axial cylindrical wall 41 connected to axial wall by an annular tapered portion 42. Cap 13 is preferably made of sheet metal. In practice, the inner wall of the housing 11 is coated with a resin, preferably room setting epoxy resin. The cap 13 is then press fitted in theend of the casing 11 and the resin is cured in place. to provide a simple, low-cost closure for the end of the housing 11. A diametral opening 43 is then drilled through the wall of the casing and the wall 4]. of the cap to receive a pin 44 (FIG. 1) by which the end of the casing 11 is pivoted to bracket 14.

It can thus be seen that there has been provided a door closer which provides an efiicient seal between the piston rod and the casing; which can be manufactured atlow cost; which obivates the need for careful machining of thepiston rod; and which permits lateral or radial movetube 26 limits the stroke of the piston and insures that the seal beween the seal tube 26 androd will be maintained.

I claim:

1. A hydraulic door closer comprising a housing defining a chamber,

a piston rod reciprocably mounted in said housing with one end thereof extending within said chamber and the other end thereof extending externally of said housing,

valve means on the end of said piston rod within said chamber adapted to selectively restrict communication between one sideof the valve means and the other,

a re-entrant wall extending axially inwardly from the end of said housing through which the piston rod extends and surrounding said rod,

said re-entrant wall having an'internal surface with greater cross sectional dimensions than the corresponding cross sectional: dimensions. of said rod so that a space is provided between the internal surface of said re-entrant wall and said'rod,

and sealing means carried-by and movable with said rod at a point intermediate the ends of said rod,

-ment of the piston rod relative to the casing without loss 7 said sealing means sealingly engaging said internal' surface of said re-entrant wall to provide a seal.

2. The combination set forth in claim 1 wherein said I re-entrant wall comprises a tube and means for supporting I 4 1 through which said rod extends comprising a sheet metal cap member having a radial wall and an axial wall,

said sheet metal member being press fitted in said housing, and a resin set in situ between said cap and said housing. 5. The combination set forth in claim l'wherein said sealing means on said rod which engages the inner surface of said re-entrant wall comprises a groove in said rod,

and a resilient gasket positioned in said groove and extending radially outwardly to sealing engagement with the inner surface of said re-entrant wall. 6. The combination set forth in claim 5 wherein said gasketis of the square-cut variety in cross section.

, '7. The combination set forth in claim 5 including a gasket of low friction relatively incompressible material positioned adjacentsaid resilient gasket limiting the radial movement between the rod and the re-entrant wall.

8. ,A hydraulic door closer comprising 7 a housing defining a chamber, 7

a piston rod reciprocably. mounted in said housing with one .endthereof extending within said chamber and the other end thereof extending externally of said housing,

valve means on the end of said piston rod within. said chamber adapted to selectively restrict communication between one side'of the valve means and the other,

a tube extending axially inwardly from the end of said housing through which the piston rod extends and surrounding said rod, 7

said tube having an internal surface with greater cross sectional dimensions than the cross sectional dimensions of said rod so that a space is provided between the internal surface of said tube and saidrod,

and sealing means carried by and movable with said rod at a point intermediate the ends of said rod,

said sealing means sealinglyengaging said internal surface of said tube to providea seal,

. and means for mounting the end of said tube on said housing for limited lateral movement bodily relative to said housing.

9. A'hydraulic door closer comprising a housing defining a chamber,

a piston rod reciprocably mounted in said housing with one end thereof extending within said chamber and the other end thereof extending externally of said valvemeans on the end of said piston rod within said chamber adapted to selectively restrict communication between one side of the valve means and the other,

a cylindrical tube, V I

means for sealingly mounting .said tube adjacent the end of said housing through which said rod extends for limited angular and radial movement,

said tube extending axially inwardly from the rod end of said housing and surrounding said rod,

said tube having an internal-surface with a greater diameter than the diameter of said rod so that a space is provided between the internal surface 'ofsaid tube and said rod, a

and sealing ,means carried by and movable with said rod at a point intermediatethe ends o f'said rod,

said sealing means sealingly engaging said internal surface of said tube-toprovidea seal.

. 10. The combination set forthjin claimj9 wherein said sealing means on said'rod which engages the inner surone end of said tube adjacent the end of said housing through which said piston rod extends.

. 3. The combination set forth inlclaim 2 wherein said.

means for supporting the end 'of said tube is such'that limited radial movement of said tube'bodily relative to.

said housing is permitted.

4. The combination set forth in claim 1 includingmeans' for sealing the end of, said housing opposite the-end gasket issquare-cut in cross'section.

T extending'radially outwardly to sealing engagement with the inner surface of saiditube. I ll. Th'ecombination set forth in claim 10 wherein said 12, The combination set forth in claim ll including a gasket of low friction relatively incompressible material positioned adajacent said resilient gasket limiting the radial movement between said rod and said tube.

13. A hydraulic door closer comprising a housing defining a chamber,

valve means on the end of said piston rod within said chamber adapted to selectively restrict communication between one side of the valve means and the other,

said re-entrant wall having greater cross sectional dimensions than the corresponding cross sectional dimensions of said rod so that a space is provided between the internal surface of said re-entrant wall and said rod,

said sealing means sealingly engaging the internal surface of said re-entrant wall to provide a seal,

said re-entrant wall comprising a tube and means for supporting said tube adjacent the end of said housing through which said piston rod extends,

said means for supporting said tube comprising a radially outwardly extending flange on the end of said tube,

a gasket surrounding said tube and engaging said flange,

said gasket sealingly engaging along its radially innermost edge with the outer surface of said tube and along its radially outermost edge with the interior wall of said housing,

and means for clamping said resilient gasket in such a manner that the flange means is retained with limited permissible radial movement.

14. The combination set forth in claim 13 wherein said last-mentioned means comprises a spring compressed between and engaging said washer and said piston rod and yieldingly urging said piston rod axially inwardly of said housing.

15. The combination set forth in claim 14 including a retainer ring interposed between the end of said spring and said resilient Washer.

16. A hydraulic door closer comprising a housing defining a chamber,

valve means on the end of said piston rod within said chamber adapted to selectively restrict communicau tion between one side of the .valve means and the other,

a cylindrical tube,

means for sealingly mounting said tube adjacent the end of said housing through which said rod extends for limited angular and radial movement,

said tube having a greater internal diameter than the diameter of said rod so that a space is provided between the internal surface of said re-entrant wall and said rod, and sealing means carried by and movable with said rod at a point intermediate the ends of said rod, said sealing means sealingly engaging the internal surface of said re-entrant wall to provide a seal, said means for supporting said tube comprising a radially outwardly extending flange on the end of said tube,

a disc surrounding said tube and engaging said flange,

said disc extending radially inwardly and sealingly engaging along its radially innermost edge with the outer surface of said tube and extending radially outwardly and sealingly engaging the interior wall of said housing,

and means for clamping said resilient disc in such a manner that the flange means is retained with limited permissible radial movement.

17. The combination set forth in claim 16 wherein said last-mentioned means comprises a spring compressed between and engaging said washer and said piston rod and yieldingly urging said piston rod axially inwardly of said housing.

18. The combination set forth in claim 17 including a retainer washer interposed between the end of said spring and said resilient washer,

said washer having a radially innermost annular portion thereof extending axially inwardly of said housing and defining a space between the washer and the disc.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENT" 1,041,855 10/12 Nordqvist 16--54 2,609,893 9/52 Glassford 18888 2,647,810 8/53 McCuistion.

2,949,625 8/60 Guyer 1652 3,057,004 10/62 Sogoian 1652 FOREIGN PATENTS 1,05 7,403 5/59 Germany.

DONLEY I. STOCKING, Primary Examiner.

BERNARD A. GELAK, Examiner.

Claims

1. A HYDRAULIC DOOR CLOSER COMPRISING A HOUSING DEFINING A CHAMBER, A PISTON ROD RECIPROCABLE MOUNTED IN SAID HOUSING WITH ONE END THEREOF EXTENDING WITHIN SAID CHAMBER AND THE OTHER END THEREOF EXTENDING EXTERNALLY OF SAID HOUSING, VALVE MEANS ON THE END OF SAID PISTON ROD WITHIN SAID CHAMBER ADAPTED TO SELECTIVELY RESTRICT COMMUNICATION BETWEEN ONE SIDE OF THE VALVE MEANS AND THE OTHER, A RE-ENTRANT WALL EXTENDING AXIALLY INWARDLY FROM THE END OF SAID HOUSING THROUGH WHICH THE PISTON ROD EXTENDS AND SURROUNDING SAID ROD, SAID RE-ENTRANT WALL HAVING AN INTERNAL SURFACE WITH GREATER CROSS SECTIONAL DIMENSIONS THAN THE CORRESPONDING CROSS SECTIONAL DIMENSIONS OF SAID ROD SO THAT A SPACE IS PROVIDED BETWEEN THE INTERNAL SURFACE OF SAID RE-ENTRANT WALL AND SAID ROD, AND SEALING MEANS CARRIED BY AND MOVABLE WITH SAID ROD AT A POINT INTERMEDIATE BY ENDS OF SAID ROD, SAID SEALING MEANS SEALINGLY ENGAGING SAID INTERNAL SURFACE OF SAID RE-ENTRANT WALL TO PROVIDE A SEAL.