US3261051A

US3261051A - Door hardware

Info

Publication number: US3261051A
Application number: US362794A
Authority: US
Inventors: Priest Harry Dale
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1964-04-27
Filing date: 1964-04-27
Publication date: 1966-07-19
Anticipated expiration: 1983-07-19

Description

H. D. PRIEST DOOR HARDWARE July 19, 1966 Filed April 27, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR HA/QEY DALE P/P/EST BY Eon/A20 D. GEE/ A 7'7'OENEY H. D. PRIEST DOOR HARDWARE July 19, 1966 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 27, 1964 .7 mm M m m m V WP E A 0 0 w WWW 0 m m E 5 6 6 w v lluL 1 .H. V y MW www mw A Wow United States Patent 3,261,051 DOOR HARDWARE Harry Dale Priest, 8454 Jupiter Drive, Buena Park, Calif. Filed Apr. 27, 1964, Ser. No. 362,794 3 Claims. (Cl. 16-1) This invention is directed to garage door hardware which is particularly adapted to provide mobility for one piece, swing up garage doors.

One-piece garage doors are known, and hardware has been provided for them to swing them up from the vertical, closed position in the garage opening to an upper, generally horizontal open position usually partially extending out of the opening. In this position automobile and personnel access through the door opening is permitted. Such prior hardware has permitted one-piece garage doors to become widely used and of general utility, especially as compared to the prior doors which were hinged to swing on a generally vertical axis. Presently available commercial hardware, however, has a number of disadvantages, including size, cost of the quantity of material therein, installation difficulties due to the fact that long heavy tension springs are used, and the fact that prior hardware is not of single unit construction for it necessitates the connection of its spring at some distance away from the basic hardware. Furthermore, such hardware provides dangerous situations for if the spring breaks while the door is being raised or lowered, the door weight becomes unduly burdensome, particularly for a small person, and the flying spring parts can cause personal or mechanical damage.

Accordin ly, it is an object of this invention to provide garage-door hardware which is of unitary construction for convenience and economy of installation and maintenance.

It is another object of this invention to provide garagedoor hardware having a compression spring, especially with a compression spring mechanically interconnected between the door and the door opening so as to provide proper counterbalance force as the door moves from one terminal position to the other.

It is another object of this invention to provide garagedoor hardware with a compression spring suitably restrained so that if it should break, there is no risk of damage due to flying spring parts.

It is another object of this invention to provide garagedoor hardware with a compression spring so that the counterbalance effect can be readily adjusted to provide proper adjustment upon installation for doors of different weight.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent upon a study of the following portion of the specification, the claims and the attached drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation of garage door hardware in accordance with this invention shown attached to a garage door within a garage door opening, both shown partially in section;

FIG. 2 is a view similar to the view of FIG. 1, showing the garage door in the raised position;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged side elevational view of the garage door hardware of this invention;

FIG. 4 is a rear elevational view of the garage door hardware shown in installed position, with part of the structure to which it is attached broken away; and

FIG. 5 is a section taken along the line 5-5 of FIG. 3.

As an aid to understanding this invention it can be stated in essentially summary form that it is directed to door hardware of particular nature for the support of one piece doors, particularly garage doors and similar doors, which permits and causes the door to be swung from a 3,261,051 Patented July 19, 1966 closed position to an upper, open position. To permit this movement, suitable stationary hardware is supported to the structure adjacent the door opening, and through links and pivots attachment is made to the door. The arrangement of the linkage and pivot points is such as to permit the door to swing from a vertical position wherein it closes the opening to a upper, generally horizontal position at the top of the opening wherein access through the door opening is permitted. Counterbalance torque to aid in the raising of the door and partially support its weight is provided by means of a compression spring suitably mounted in the stationary hardware and torquing one or" the links in the appropriate direction.

This invention will be understood in greater detail by reference to the following portion of the specification wherein the structure is described in detail. Referring now to FIG. 1, seen therein is a section through a door frame and a conventional one piece swing up door. The door frame is defined by a pair of upright posts, one of which is seen at 10, and a header 12 bridged thereacross. Door 14 is formed of structural framing 16 covered with a suitable front sheet 18 which is visible from the outside, through the door opening.

As is seen in FIG. 4 the door 14 is slightly narrower than the opening defined by the upright posts, one of which is shown at 10. The door 14 is positioned between these posts and is secured in movable relationship thereto by means of the hereinafter described door hardware 20.

Of course, both sides of the garage door must be controlled, and the structure to accomplish this control is bilaterally symmetrical so that only one such .portion need be described. Accordingly, it is apparent that the other side of the garage door 14 has symmetrically identical hardware thereon to aid in guiding and raising the door. The door hardware 29 comprises a main, stationary support bracket 22 which is secured to upright post 10 by means of any suitable fastening means such as lag screws 24. As seen, the main bracket 22 comprises a main plate 26 having flanged edges 28 and a base 30, generally at right angles to main plate 26, to serve as securement and through which the lag screws 24 extend.

Secured to the framing 16 at the edge of the door 14 is door bracket 32 which is generally in the shape of an angle iron having a base 34 and a pivot plate 36 extending generally at right angles to the base 34. Fastening means, such as lag screws 37 extend through the base 34 and into the framing 16 to secure door bracket 32 with respect thereto.

Geometric linkage is arranged between the main bracket 22 and door bracket 32 in such a manner as to control the position of the door 12 in the closed position and in the open position, and also to control the configuration of the path the door takes between these two positions. This linkage includes main link 38 which is pivoted to the main frame 22 by means of main pivot pin 40 and to the door bracket 32 by means of door pivot pin 42. Door pivot pin 42 extends through the end of main link 38 and through pivot plate 36 of door bracket 32 and is arranged to be pivotable with respect thereto. Boss 44, see FIG. 5, is secured to main plate 26 adjacent a top corner thereof and has a bore 46 therethrough to rotatably accept main pivot pin 40.

Main link 38, at its opposite end from door pivot pin 42 is formed in a U shaped configuration so as to have a torque arm 48 integral therewith which extends past the end of boss 44. Thus, main link 38 has main pivot pin 40 passing therethrough in two places to clearly define the axis of rotation at the center line of main pivot pin 40. Washers 50 aid in spacing to permit free rotation, and washer 52 in conjunction with pin 54 maintains the main pivot pin 40 in place with respect to main link 38. While 3 7 an ordinary journal has been described with respect to main pivot 40 within bore 46, it is clear that an antifriction journal could be substituted therefor to maintain friction at a minimum.

Pivot arm 56 is secured to the lower end of the door bracket 32 by means of suitable fastening means such as rivets 58 so as to extend away from pivot plate 36 and provide a pivot point for pivot pin 60 in the desired kinematic position. Control link 62 is pivoted at one end to pivot pin 66 and to its other end to pivot pin 64 which is located in a bore in main plate 26. For adjustability of the door path and position, control link 62 has a plurality of holes 66 along the length thereof so that the total overall length of the link 62 may be selected and secured by means of bolts 68. Similarly, if desired, a plurality of holes can be positioned alongthe lower end of main plate 26 for selectivity of positioning the top end of control link 62 by having a pivot pin 64 selectively positionable therein.

This structure, 'hereinabove described, is sufi'icient to cause the door 14 to move in the desired path. However, as can be readily seen, the weight of the door is not balanced or counterbalanced so that a great deal of force is necessary to move the door 14 from its closed to its open position. Furthermore, the linkage is such that the door 14 will not remain in its open position, but gravity will cause it to close. To overcome this deficiency, counterbalance force means is provided to aid in the opening and closing of the door 14 by counterbalancing the weight of the door. This counterbalance mechanism is best seen in FIG. 5. Boss 68 is provided at the lower inside corner of main plate 26 and carries pivot pin 70 secured thereto. Compression spring means 72 is pivoted at its lower end on pivot pin 70. Compression spring means '72 comprises lower spring holder '74 which is pivoted on pivot pin '70 and carries compression spring 76 around spring retaining boss 78. Guard shell 80 guides compression springs 76 and serves as a guard therefor, and guard shell 89 is secured to lower spring holder 74. Similarly, cylindrical guide 82 is secured to lower spring holder 74 and serves to guide upper spring holder 84 which has a tubular guide 86 secured thereto. The outer surface of tubular guide 86 serves to guide compression spring 76 and the inner surface co-acts with cylindrical guide 82 so that lower spring holder 74 and upper spring holder 84 are constrained to move only axially with respect to each other. Compression link 88 is threadedly engaged in upper spring holder 84 and carries a locknut 90 which serves to lock compression link 88 with respect to upper spring holder 84. With the locknut 90 loosened, the compression link 88 can be rotated with respect to upper spring holder 84 to adjust the relative axial position of compression link 88. The upper end of compression link 88 carries clevis 92 secured thereto and the clevis 2 has a suitable bore therethrough to accept pin 94 which engages through a suitable hole in the end of torque arm 48.

The angular relationship between torque arm 43 and main link 38 is such that when the door is closed, as is seen in FIGS. 1 and 3, thercompression spring 76 causes a force which urges the door closed, by means of the over center positioning of the various pivots. As soon as the door 14 is moved in the opening direction the torque arm 48 is in such a position as to use the compressive stress in spring 76 to urge the door 14 toward the open position. The optimum door opening force is always available so that the proper counterbalance force is available. This force is regulated by the compressive adjustment of the spring by axial adjustment of the upper spring holder 84 with respect to compression link 88, the spring constant, the length of torque arm 48 as compared to the length of main link 38, and the relative position of the pivot points 70, 94, 40 and 42 as the door is moved. By suitable arrangement of these factors, an optimized, virtually ideal counterbalance force can be applied to the door 14 in all of its positions. The instant structure is further advantageous because of its self contained nature which does not require separate spring anchor or other structures away from the door hardware 29. Furthermore, since the compression spring 76 is completely enclosed by guard shell and restrained by tubular guide 86, breakage of the spring 76 while in service does not create a dangerous situation from flying spring parts.

It is clear from the above description of the instant door hardware that the hardware is susceptible to numerous modificationsand embodiments without the exercise of the inventive faculty. Accordingly, the scope of this invention is defined by the scope of the following claims.

I claim:

3.. A door supporting structure adapted to support a door in association with framing defining a door opening; the structure comprising a main bracket adapted to be secured to said door frame and a door bracket adapted to be secured to the door, first and second pivots on said main bracket and first and second pivots associated with said door bracket, a main link pivoted to said first pivots and a control link pivoted to said second pivots, said pivots and said links being such that upon movement of the door, the door moves from a closed to an open posiion, and a compressionv spring connected between said main bracket and said main link to urge said main link in a direction toward the open position of the door, said main link being formed so as to terminate in a torque arm, pivotal connection means pivotally connecting said compression spring to said torque arm, said pivotal connection means being substantially positioned between said first pivots when the door is in closed position, said compression spring being arranged to release energy as the arm moves toward its open position.

2. The door supporting structure of claim 1 wherein a lower spring holder is pivotally connected to said main bracket and an upper spring holder is adjustably connected to said torque arm, said upper and lower spring holders being guided with respect to each other so as to guide said compression spring.

3;. The door supporting structure of claim 2 where-in a guide is secured to one of said spring holders and a tubular guide is secured to the other of said spring holders, said tubular guide embracing said guide, and said compression spring embracing said tubular guide so that said compression spring is controlled.

4. The door supporting structure of claim 3 wherein adjustment means is provided between said upper spring holder and said torque arm so that the spring force of said compression spring may be adjusted.

5. The door supporting structure of claim 4 wherein said lower spring holder pivot point, said torque arm pivot and said first pivot on said main bracket are aligned in such a position as to cause said compression spring to urge the door toward the door closed position, when the door is substantially in the door closed position.

6. A door supporting structure adapted to support a door within a door opening defined by door framing and to permit the door to be moved from a closed position wherein it closes the opening to an open position, said door supporting structure comprising a main bracket adapted to be secured to the door frame and a door bracket adapted to be secured to the door, said main bracket comprising a main plate having means adapting it to be secured to the door frame, first and second pivots on said main plate and main and control links respect vely pivoted to said first and second pivots, said main link being formed with a bend and having said first pivot ad acent said bend, said rnain link extending past said pivot to form a torque arm, compressive spring means sup-ported on an upper spring holder adjustably and pivotally connected to said torque arm, and supported on a lower spring holder pivotally connected to a third pivot on said main plate, said door bracket carrying first and econd pivots, said main and said control link being respectively pivoted to said first and second pivots on said door bracket, said links and said pivots being arranged so that said compression spring urges the door toward its open position when said door is at least partly toward said open position.

7. The door supporting structure of claim 6 wherein one of said spring holders carries a guide, and the other of said spring holders carries a tubular guide which embraces said guide, said spring embracing said tubular guide.

8. A door supporting structure adapted to support a door in association with framing defining a door opening; said stnucture comprising a main bracket adapted to be secured to the door frame and a door bracket adapted to be secured to the door, first and second pivots on said main bracket and first and second pivots associated with said door bracket, a main link pivoted to said first pivots and a control l-ink pivoted to said second pivots, said pivots and said links being such that upon movement of the door, the door moves from a closed position to an open position, said main bracket having a first side directed toward the door opening and having a second side directed away from the door opening, said main l-ink being positioned on said first side of said main bracket, a torque arm mounted on said second side of said main bracket on said first pivot, said torque arm being connected to rotate with said main l-ink about said first pivot, a compression spring connected between said torque arm and said main bracket,'said compression spring being arranged to release energy as the door is moved toward its open position.

EDWARD C. ALLEN, Primary Examiner.

J. H. MCGLYNN, Assistant Examiner.

Claims

1. A DOOR SUPPORTING STRUCTURE ADAPTED TO SUPPORT A DOOR IN ASSOCIATION WITH FRAMING DEFINING A DOOR OPENING; THE STRUCTURE COMPRISING A MAIN BRACKET ADAPTED TO BE SECURED TO SAID DOOR FRAME AND A DOOR BRACKET ADAPTED TO BE SECURED TO THE DOOR, FIRST AND SECOND PIVOTS ON SAID MAIN BRACKET AND FIRST AND SECOND PIVOTS ASSOCIATED WITH SAID DOOR BRACKET, A MAIN LINK PIVOTED TO SAID FIRST PIVOTS AND A CONTROL LINK PIVOTED TO SAID SECOND PIVOTS, SAID PIVOTS AND SAID LINKS BEING SUCH THAT UPON MOVEMENT OF THE DOOR, THE DOOR MOVES FROM A CLOSED TO AN OPEN POSITION, AND A COMPRESSION SPRING CONNECTED BETWEEN SAID MAIN BRACKET AND SAID MAIN LINK TO URGE SAID MAIN LINK IN A DIRECTION TOWARD THE OPEN POSITION OF THE DOOR, SAID MAIN LINK BEING FORMED SO AS TO TERMINATE IN A TORQUE ARM, PIVOTAL CONNECTION MEANS PIVOTALLY CONNECTING SAID COMPRESSION SPRING TO SAID TORQUE ARM, SAID PIVOTAL CONNECTION MEANS BEING SUBSTANTIALLY POSITIONED BETWEEN SAID FIRST PIVOTS WHEN THE DOOR IS IN CLOSED POSITION, SAID COMPRESSION SPRING BEING ARRANGED TO RELEASE ENERGY AS THE ARM MOVES TOWARD ITS OPEN POSITION.