US3538641A - Two-way dryer door - Google Patents

Description

5 Sheets-Sheet 1 L.. L. MILLER ETAL TWO-WAY DRYER DOOR v E.. QN

ATTORNE YS Nov. i0, 397@ Filed June 14. 1968 MN\ Rd NHAIT. WN m5 Y l- .uw N\\\ N /.r\..\ mlm N f Nov. 10, 1970 L. L. MILLER ETAL Two-WAY DRYER Doon 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed `June L4, 1968 INVENTORS fw/5 /W/Lff BY mymgm Nov. 10, 1970 l.. l.. MILLER ETAL TWO-WAY DRYER DOOR 5 Shets-Sheet 3 Iiled June 14, 1968 INVENTORS fw/s f /I/L/ ff Nov. l0, 1970 MILLER ETAL 3,538,641

TWO-WAY DRYER DOOR Filed June 14? 1968 Y5 Sheets-Sheet 4 /Z F En, Q

@I F15- ff /Ze Z5 /4 I z/ FF M 242 m Z5 7` l l kl 5 I N VEN T0@ l MM-w-,m/f A W BY ATTORNEYS Nov. l0, 1970 L. L. MILLER ETAL 3,538,641

TWO-WAY DRYER DOOR l Filed June 14, 196e 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 W ATTO/N15 YS 3,538,641 Patented Nov. 10, 1970 3,538,641 TWO-WAY DRYER DOOR Lewis L. Miller, Benton Harbor, Mich., and Joseph P.

Lux, Marion, Ohio, assignors to Whirlpool Corporation, a corporation of Delaware Filed .lune 14, 1968, Ser. No. 737,106 Int. Cl. Ed 15/52 U.S. Cl. 49-192 17 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Apparatus for effecting a multiaxis closure hinging arrangement are provided which comprises a first, second and third hinge means spaced about the closure periphery, an axis selector, a safety lock and a snap action mechanism. The selector is linked to the first and third hinge means whereby on operation by the user the closure may be swung alternately about either a horizontal axis passing through the first and second hinge means or a vertical axis passing through the second and third hinge means. A leaf spring actuates the snap-action mechanism to assure that the linkage will always travel completely and instantaneously to one or the other of the two linkage positions. The safety lock cooperates with first and third hinge means to allow shifting of the axes only while the door is fully closed and additionally serves a dual function as a door catch. In one embodiment the axis selector includes a finger-tip operated pivotal lever concealed behind a closure traversing handle, While in another embodiment the selector includes a centrally-positioned T- shaped handle attached to a spring-block structure which limits the torque that may be transmitted through the selector and hinge means.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the invention This invention relates generally to domestic appliances and more specifically to a clothes dryer apparatus having a multiaxis closure hinging arrangement whereby the door may be selectively swung about one of several different axes.

In particular, the invention lends itself to use on other appliances such as washers, dishwashers, etc., since it offers a simple, convenient, inexpensive, and compact means of providing a multi-hinge arrangement whereby selection of the hinging axis of the door may be easily made and will remain set until a future change is desired.

Description of the prior art U.S. Pat. No. 2,212,114 is an early version of a closure having multiple swinging axes with independently removable hinge pins. The possibility of accidental removal of the hinge pins is made very probable by the exposure of the hinge pins to dislocating hands or forces.

In U.S. Pat. No. 3,030,656, the changing of the axis, which is possible when the door is opened, will be inconvenient and may cause damage to the door. Moreover, the prior art in general fails to show adequate latch means and swing stop means in a simple and economical construction. Further, the prior art does not show an attractive pull means whereby the changing means need not be touched during operation of the closure about a previously selected axis.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The problems in the prior art of accidental disengagement during operation and particularly while the door is open, are overcome by the instant invention through the provision of lock means associated with the shifting mechanism which prevents the actuator from moving while the closure is open and allow movement only when the closure engages the catch. Snap action means is provided which moves the shifting mechanism quickly and completely between one or the other of the two linkage positions, thereby allowing no intermediate position of the shifting mechanisms. A catch means serves first as a means for retaining the door in a closed position and secondly as a means for disengaging the locking means whereby the shifting mechanism may be moved. In one form of the invention, the catch is situated adjacent each actuator means, thereby providing a double safeguard against the possibility of the door falling off as is shown in the prior art.

The spring biased two-way hinge means is also novel in this construction in that it provides a counter-balancing means and stop means limiting movement of the closure about a horizontal axis.

The present invention is conveniently embodied in a clothes dryer cabinet having an opening in one supporting surface thereof. This clothes dryer may have a rotatable tumbling drum mounted in the cabinet and communicating With the opening so that the articles to be dried may 'be deposited therein. A motor means rotates said drum and an air translation means introduces air into said cabinet, moves it into contact with a conveniently located air heating means and exhausts the air with its absorbed moisture from the cabinet. Control means coordinate the operation of the tumbler, heating means and translation means.

The apparatus for effecting the multiaxis dryer door hinging arrangement generally comprises a door or closure mounted on said clothes dryer cabinet supporting surface with first, second and third hinge means spaced about and adjacent to the periphery of said door. In the illustrated embodiment a first axis passes through said first and second hinge means and a second axis passes through said second and third hinge means whereby said door may be selectively alternately swung about either said first or second axis. In the embodiment of our invention on the clothes dryer the first axis may be a horizontal axis usually located adjacent the clothes dryer supporting surface below the opening. Similarly, the second axis may be vertical and may be positioned on either side of the opening. Since the clothes dryer cabinet supporting surface will usually be planar, the axes of rotation may lie in a plane that is substantially parallel to the supporting surface. It is envisioned that the door will be of greater extent than the opening to provide areas about the periphery of the opening where the door will be of substantially parallel abutting relationship with the supporting surface when it is closed. In the open position, or when the door is not abutting the cabinet supporting surface, it is understood that the door may be swung downwardly as much as or more and sidewardly as much as or more. vAlthough the hinge means may be placed adjacent and about the periphery of the door it is to be understood that they may be placed in whatever position and arrangement is preferable in carrying out our invention.

By selecting the proper length of the hinge pins, the operation of the shafter mechanism is such that one set of hinges engages before the other set disengages, thereby insuring that at least one hinging axis is always established. Inasmuch as the various hinge means serve to mount the door on the cabinet supporting surface, each such hinge means will have a portion mounted on said cabinet supporting surface and a portion mounted on said door. An axis changing mechanism will generally be mounted on or in said door, however portions thereof may be mounted on said cabinet. Generally, the axis changing mechanism includes a shifter mechanism which is part of said first and third hinge means, a two-way hinge which is part of said second hinge means, a selector usually located on said door connected to said first and third hinge means and cooperating therewith to alternately engage either said first or third hinge means, and a safety lock means cooperating with the shifter mechanism and the selector means to prevent their operation when said door is not abutting said cabinet supporting surface.

The first hinge means includes a hinge mounted on said cabinet supporting surface, pivotal about the first or horizontal axis and having a portion thereof projecting outwardly from the cabinet support surface. A shifter mechanism portion of the first hinge means is usually mounted on the door and includes a body member having means for mounting on said door and a hub. An actuator arm having an upper circular end is rotatably mounted on the hub. The remainder of the actuator arm includes an intermediate portion and a lower end. The lower end of the actuator arm projects through an opening in the tubular slide channel and engages a slide slidably mounted in the channel. One end of the slide channel has a hole therethrough and the slide has an elongated hinge connector which projects through said hole into engagement with said hinge when said actuator arm is rotated. Thus the hinge becomes fixed to the door so that it may be rotated about the first, or horizontal axis.

The hinge has a first stop member which butts against the inside of the cabinet supporting surface while the door is swung downwardly about the horizontal axis into a horizontal position. In this position the open door provides a horizontal work area below the dryer opening. A second stop on the hinge engages the supporting surface of the cabinet to position the hinge to align with the elongated hinge connector for engagement or disengagement. A resilient means such as a coil tension spring may be attached at one end to an extension of the hinge inside the cabinet and at the other end suitably fixed mounted to the inside cabinet. This resilient means operating alone or in cooperation with a similar resilient means on the second hinge means serves to counterbalance the dryer door when it is swung about the first or horizontal axis.

The second hinge means comprises a first and second pivotal hinge. The first hinge will usually be horizontally mounted on the cabinet supporting surface, pivotal about the first axis and having a portion thereof projecting outwardly from the support surface. This first horizontally pivotal hinge may be similar in construction to the hinge of the rst hinge means. Thus it may include a first stop limiting the downward swing of the door about the first axis so that when fully open the door serves as a horizontal work area. It may also have a resilient means biasing said door to a closed position and thereby serving as a counterbalance. The second hinge means also includes a second usually vertically pivotal hinge which is fixedly attached to the door and pivotal about the second or vertical axis on a hinge pin that is coaxial with the second axis and mounted on said first pivotal hinge through two vertically spaced tabs 90 out of the plane of the first pivoted hinge. In substance the second hinge means is what may be termed a two-way hinge.

The third hinge means comprises a mounting member mounted on said cabinet supporting surface, projecting outwardly therefrom and having a hinge pin receiving hole therein which is coaxial with the second or vertical axis. The portion mounted on said door comprises a shifter mechanism of a construction which may be similar to that of the first hinge means. Thus it may have an actuator arm rotatably mounted on one end and having a lower end projecting through an opening in a tubular slide channel where it engages a slide. The slide includes a hinge pin which, when moved in response to the rotation of the actuator arm, slides into and out of engagement with the mounting member to effect swinging of the door about the second and first axes respectively.

A selector means coordinates the operation of the first and third hinge means so that when said first hinge means is engaged said third hinge means will be disengaged to allow the door to swing about the first axis. Conversely the selector mechanism assures that when the third hinge means is engaged the first hinge means is disengaged to allow the door to swing about the second axis. Several embodiments of the selector means are disclosed. In one embodiment a handle bar rigidly fixed to the door has a skirt depending therefrom. A rotatable handle is mounted below and behind said handle bar and may be rotated through pressure applied thereto by the fingers extended under the skirt. Links or other means directly connect the selector to the actuator arms of the shifter mechanisms so that movement of the selector handle is directly transmitted to the shifter mechanisms.

In a second embodiment of the selector means an energy absorbing torque limiting means is interposed between the handle and the portion of the selector means connected to the shifter mechanisms. Through this torque limiting means excess torque is prevented from being transmitted to the shifter mechanisms and hinge means.

To assure that the change from one axis to the other is substantially complete and instantaneous, a snap action means is provided in the axis changing mechanisms. The snap action means may be located on the first hinge means and comprises a bowed leaf spring having /its upper end seated on the hub and its lower end seated in a fixed support below the slide channel. The bowed spring extends through a portion of the actuator arm and through the slide and slide channel. Snap action of the leaf spring is initiated through movement of the actuator arm so that the snapping of the leaf spring over center from one bowed position to an alternate bowed position snaps the actuator arm and hinge engaging means into and out of engagement with the hinge on the first hinge means. Through the linkage of the selector means this force is transmitted to the third hinge means and that too snaps into and out of engagement with the mounting member.

The problem in the prior art of accidental disengagement during operation is absolutely prevented by the safety lock means. This safety lock means usually comprises a locking surface on the actuator arm, a spring lock mounted on the shifter mechanism and resiliently biased against the locking surface to prevent rotation of the actuator arm when the spring is in engagement with the locking surface and a door catch mounted on and extending from the supporting surface which is adapted to move the spring lock out of engagement with the locking surface when the door is in the closed position adjacent to the cabinet supporting surface. Thus changing of the axes of rotation is possible only when the door is in abutment with the supporting surface. In addition, the door catch is frictionally gripped by means on the door to hold the door in the closed position during the changing of the axes.

Other and further objects of this invention will be apparent to those skilled in this art from the following detailed description of the annexed sheets of drawings which, by way of a preferred embodiment of the invention, illustrate one example of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. l is a perspective view of an appliance embodying the principles of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the closure of the invention.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged front view showing additional details of the first hinge means and associated mounting means as seen in the lower left-hand corner of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the structure of FIG. 3 taken on the plane of line IV-IV.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged front view of the two-way hinge seen in FIG. 2.

FIG. 6 is a side view of the hinge of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a further enlarged perspective view of the double hinge as it would appear when the closure is opened about the vertical axis.

FIG. 8 is a front View of the third hinge means and associated mounting means as is shown in the upper righthand corner of FIG. 2.

FIG. 9 is a cross-section of the selector means as viewed along the lines IX-IX in FIG. 2.

FIG. 10 is a front view of a closure showing another embodiment o-f the selector means.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view along the lines XI-XI in FIG. l0.

FIG. l2 is an exploded perspective view of the ernbodiment of the selector means shown in FIGS. 10 and ll.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS In its lbroadest sense, the invention encompasses a closure swingable about more than one axis and a mounting or supporting means therefor. For purposes of illustration an exemplary construction of the invention is indicated at 12 in FIG. 1 on a clothes dryer cabinet 10. In this embodiment the cabinet provides the mounting or support means for the closure 12 which, in this case, can swing about both a vertical and a horizontal axis. The pivotal axes may be along any two sides, however, in a clothes dryer one of the axes provided will usually be horizontal since this has the advantage that the open door may serve as a working shelf.

The combination of the operative elements for the door l2 is shown in FIG. 2 where an axis selector means simultaneously controls a rst hinge means 40 and a third hinge means 90 for movement of the door 12 about either the vertical axis V-V or the horizontal axis H-H, both of which pass through a two-way or second hinge means 70. In position as shown, the doo is set to swing about the vertical axis V-V.

Movement of the door-mounted axis selector means 20, possible only when the door is closed, will move, through a rigid linkage system, a hinge pin 94 in the door-mounted third hinge means 90 into engagement with a mounting means 98 on the cabinet while simultaneously disengaging a locking pin 47 in the cabinetmounted first hinge means 40 from engagement with a cabinet-mounted hinge 50 so that the door will pivot about the vertical axis. This operation is reversed when it is desired to have the door pivot about the horizontal axis.

A cutaway view of the elements interior of the closure are seen generally in FIG. 2 and specifically shown in enlarged detail as follows: the rst hinge means 40 is set out in FIGS. 3 and 4; the two-way second hinge means 60 is seen in FIGS. 5-7; the third hinge means 80 is shown in FIG. 8 and selector means 20 and 120 may be viewed in FIGS. 9-l2.

First hinge means As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the iirst hinge means 40 comprises a shifter mechanism 41-47 and a safety lock means 61-63 in the interior of the closure with a hinge and hinge-mounting means 53, 54 mounted inside the cabinet and projecting outwardly therefrom. The shifter means 41-46 functions to slide a hinge connector 47 into and out of engagement with a hinge 50 in response to movement of the axis selector means shown in FIG. 2 at 20 and in FIG. l0 at 120.

Thus, a link 22 has one end attached to the selector means and the other end attached to the actuator arm 42, which has one end 42k journalled on hub 43 for rotation thereabout and an other end 42m snugly received in a slide 45 with a portion 42h rigidly connecting these opposite ends. Movement of the link 22 is thereby converted into rotational motion that is transmitted through the actuator arm end 42m to move the slide 45 and the 6 attached hinge connector 47 into and out of engagement with the hinge 50.

A bowed leaf spring 44 promotes complete and quick movement of the hinge connector 47 between positions in and out of engagement `with the hinge 50. Having its upper end restrained by the notch 43a in the hub 43, the leaf spring 44 extends through the end 42m of the actuator arm 42, through an opening 46b in the bottom of the slide channel 46 and has its other end restrained by the notch 41a `on the shifter body. The length of the spring is greater than the distance between the notches 43a and 41a, causing it to bow. Thus when the actuator arm 42 is pivoted about the hub 43, edges 42d and 42e in the end 42m serve to transmit the force applied to arm 42 to a central portion of spring 44 to snap the leaf spring 44 from a position where it is bowed in one direction over center to a position where it is bowed in the other direction. At the same time the slide 45 will be moved in the slide channel 46 by actuator arm end 42m. Movement of the slide and the attached hinge connector 47 towards the hinge 50 is limited by the slide shoulders 45a. The spring stop means 41b on the actuator body limits movement of the spring 44.

Slide channel 46 preferably is square or rectangular in cross-section as is the slide 45 so that the slide will always be properly oriented for the receipt of the actuator arm therein. An opening 46a in the side of the channel 46 nearest the actuator arm is long enough so that the actuator may swing completely in and out of the channel thereby facilitating assembly and disassembly of the apparatus. An opening 46b in the side opposite the opening 46a allows the snap spring to pass through the slide and have its lower end seat at 41a on the shifter body. Whereas the shifter body will preferably be made of a self-lubricating material, the connector pin 47 may be made of metal and is securely mounted in the slide 45.

The hinge 50 pivots about a pivot 55 through which horizontal axis H-H passes. A mounting means 53, 54 supporting the pivot includes a cabinet attachment ange 53 secured to the inside of the cabinet 10 by suitable means and a projecting wing 54 which supports the pivot 5S at its lower end. When the door 12 is in its closed position the wing 54 and the hinge 50* project through corresponding slots 10a in the cabinet and 12a in the door into the interior of the door a distance limited by a door stop 50d (FIG. 4). Thus, the door stop 50d may, as shown, be a portion struck out from the hinge and extending at right angles thereto. The hinge 50 in turn is biased by a spring 59 so that a struck-out portion 50]" bears against a shock absorbing pad 10c thereby limiting movement of the hinge into the cabinet.

A spring means 59 has one end fixed to the cabinet and the other end attached to the lowermost portion 50a of the hinge thereby serving to keep the hinge in its closed position when no load is applied and to act as a counter balance when the door is opened about the horizontal axis. The opening of the door 12 about the horizontal axis is limited to approximately iby a stop Sllb which comprises a bent-over portion of the hinge 50. With the door in its opened position, the stop 50h bears against the mounting means 53 so that the door is horizontal and cantilevered out from the cabinet below the opening 11 to provide a convenient work area.

Changing the axes of rotation to the horizontal axis H-H whereby the door 12 pivots about the pivot 55 and the pivot of the second hinge means 70, is thus accomplished by operating the selector means 20 to exert a clockwise rotation to the actuator arm 42 which snaps the leaf spring 44 over-center, simultaneously moving the slide 45 toward the hinge and driving the tapered hinge connector 47 through the mating opening 50g in the hinge 50. With the door now engaging an upper portion of the hinge at 50g and bearing against a central portion of the hinge at a door stop 50d, the door 12 and the hinge 50 are effectively connected and move as one.

If the door were swung out from the cabinet so that either the connector pin of the first hinge means or the hinge pin of the third hinge means could not engage the mounting means when the selector means were moved, the other connector or hinge pin might be withdrawn leaving the door supported solely by the second hinge means. This might cause inconvenience to the user and/or damage to the second hinge means. To prevent this situation from occurring, a safety lock means 60 is provided which insures that when the dryer door 12 is in the opened position, the actuator arm 42 cannot be rotated.

Basically, the first hinge safety means 60 comprises a door catch knob 61 mounted on the cabinet 10 and projecting therefrom so that when the door is closed it extends into the door and pushes against a leaf spring 63 thereby disengaging the leaf spring from a toothed structure 42s integrally mounted on the actuator arm 42. Only when the leaf spring is disengaged will the arm 42 be free to rotate in response to movement of the axis selector means.

Referring to the details of the catch knob 61, shown in FIG. 4, it can be seen to comprise a protrusion 61a, a spherical portion 61b, a base portion 61e, and a fastening means 61d and 61e. When the protrusion 61a is holding the leaf spring 63 out of engagement with the teeth on the actuator arm the bul'bous spherical portion 6117 is resiliently held in the socket 62 to effect a catch holding the door closed. Thus, the catch knob 61 serves a dual function of retaining the door closed while moving the leaf spring 63, 63C away from the teeth 421 so that the actuator arm 42 may be moved. Since this can occur only when the door is closed, any accidental disengagement of both the first and the third hinge means is prevented.

The leaf spring 63 comprises a long body portion 63h of resilient spring steel that is attached near one end 63a to the actuator body 41 and has a bent portion 63C at one end extending at right angles t the body portion 63b which moves into and out of the spaces between the teeth 421. The number of teeth and their spacing is dependent upon the arc through which the arm 42 moves since it is clear that they will be positioned over the full extent of the arc.

In the embodiment as illustrated, the shifter body 41 is of a unitary construction that includes the hub 43, the tubular slide channel 46, the leaf spring supporting portion 41e that extends below the slide channel structure, the safety lock support 41 j, the resilient socket 62 and the three means 41j, 41g, 41h for attachment of the body to the closure 12. It will be understood of course that these features may be separate or in a different combination. In practice, we have found the self-lubricating plastic material ACETAL to be an excellent material for this part, although any suitable material may be used.

Second hinge means Referring to the second hinge means which is shown generally at 70 in the lower right hand corner of FIG. 2 and in detail in FIGS. -7, there is provided a structure similar in several respects to the hinge 50 of the first hinge means. Thus, a mounting means 71 is similar in placement, function and construction to the mounting means 54. It is attached to the inside of thecabinet 10, extends through a corresponding opening 12d in the door and d in the cabinet, and supports the pivot 72 about which a hinge 75 pivots when the door 1t) is opened about the horizontal axis H--I-I. The hinge 75 is likewise similar to the hinge 50 insofar as the stop 75b and the depending portion 75a, are concerned. Again, a stop 75b strikes the rear portion of the mounting means 71 to stop the downwardly pivoting motion of the hinge 75 and cooperates with a stop 50b on the first hinge means to provide a support for the door in its horizontally cantilevered position. A spring 79, like its counterpart spring 59, is anchored to the cabinet structure at one end and engages the depending portion 75a at its other end, thereby serving as a counter balance for the door when it is pivoted about the horizontal axis H-H.

A hinge 30, mounted on the hinge '75, includes a bracket 81 to which the door 1@ is attached, and a hinge pin 82 coaxial with the vertical axis V-V about which the bracket and door pivot when swung about the vertical axis. As shown in FIG. 7, the bracket is positioned as it would be when the door is opened about the vertical axis. Although the bracket 81 is shown having a U-shaped cross-section, any suitable configuration for mounting inside a door panel is contemplated. The bent-over bracket tabs 81a and 81h have a hole therein through which the hinge pin 82 extends. A pair of correspondingly spaced hinge tabs e` and '75d comprise portions of the hinge bent outwardly approximately from the hinge 75 to provide support for the hinge 81. The hinge tabs are inside the bracket tabs, have a hole therein through which the hinge pin 81 extends and preferably separated from the bracket tabs by spacers 82a and 82h.

Third hinge means The third hinge means 99 is shown generally in the upper right hand corner of FIGS. 2 and l0 and in enlarged detail in FIG. 8. Basically it comprises a shifter mechanism 91 and a safety lock means 97 similar to those of the first hinge means carried within the door 12 and a mounting means 98 on the cabinet 10. The purpose of the third hinge means is to move a hinge pin 94 into and out of engagement with the mounting means 9S so that when the hinge pin 94 is disengaged the door will be free to rotate about the horizontal axis H--H and when the hinge pin 94 is engaged the door will be free to pivot about axis V--V.

Construction of the third hinge shifter mechanism 91-96 and safety lock means 97 is identical to that of the rst hinge shifter mechanism and safety lock means with the exception that the snap action means of the first hinge means, including the leaf spring 44 and the depending shifter body portion 41e, is not duplicated because their effect is transmitted through the selector means 20, 22, 24 to the third hinge means.

Thus, the third hinge means, functioning similarly to the first hinge means, is connected to the selector means through a rigid link 24 that has one end 24a pivotally connected to the selector means and the other end 24b pivotally connected to the actuator arm 92 at 92j. An arm 92 has an enlarged circular portion 92a in one end that is journalled in, and rotates about, hub 93 in response to movement of the axis selector means. A11 enlarged end 92b at the other end of the arm 92 extends through an opening 96a in the slide channel 96 and is seated in the slide 95. Connecting the circular portion 92a' and the end 92b is a tapered portion 92C.

When movement of the link 24 causes the arm 92 to rotate about the hub 93, the force is transmitted through portion 92C to end 92h which in turn moves a slide 95 in a channel 96 whereby a hinge pin 94 will be moved in and out of engagement with a hole in a flange 98a of a mounting means 93. The movement of the slide 95 is limited as hinge pin 94 is moved into engagtment with means 98 by a shoulder means 95a that butts against an end 96h of the slide channel. When the pin 94 is moved out of engagement with the mounting means 98 the movement is limited by the selector means on the snap action means 44 of the first hinge means.

Whereas the above-noted limits are effective when the door is closed, the safety lock on the third hinge means 90, similar in construction to the safety lock means of the first hinge means 40, operates to prevent movement of the axis-changing mechanism when the door is opened or not fully engaging the catch means of either the first or third hinge means. This insures that the diagonally related corners of the closure, in which areas the catch means will usually be positioned, are both in a fully closed position before an axis change may be made.

As 'with the safety lock means 60 of the first hinge means, the safety lock means 97 comprises a door catch knob 97b, of exactly the same construction as a catch knob 61, hidden in FIG. 8, mounted on the cabinet and projecting therefrom so that when the door `12 is closed it extends into the door and lifts angularly Ibent portion 97d of leaf spring 97C out of engagement with the toothed structure 92t mounted on the portion 92s projecting from the actuator arm 92. In the illustrated embodiment, the teeth 92t have parallel sides substantially normal to the portion 92s and lie on radii of the hub 93. The elongated leaf spring 97e` has its major axis on a line tangent to the actuator arm portion 92a and hub 93 thus disposing the tooth engaging portion 97d substantially normal to the teeth y92t. Although the number of teeth 92t is dependent upon the arc through which the actuator arm 92 pivots, their spacing at the natrowest point must be such to allow easy entry of portion 97d and yet allow minimal movement of the hub when the portion 97d is in engagement with the teeth. The interrelation of the two safety lock means will be more fully set out in the discussion of the operation of the apparatus.

The hinge means 90 is constructed similarly to the first hinge means except for the fact that it does not have a portion equivalent to the portion 41e. Thus, the body 91, arm 92, hub 93, hinge means 94, slide 95, channel 96 and lock means 97 may be of identical construction with the equivalent elements on the first hinge means. Similar means 911, 91g, and 91h allow attachment to the interior of the door.

The mounting means 98 comprises a right angularly bent member having a flange `98C mounted inside of the cabinet and the other flange 98a projecting through a slot in the front of the cabinet. It `will be understood, however, that the flange 98a may be otherwise attached.

Selector means There is shown in FIGS. 2 and 9 an axis selector means positioned under the door opening bar 14. When the axis has been selected and no change is desired, the bar may be grasped at any point to open the door 12. When a change is desired, however, the door may be grasped and the finger tips slid under the bar either at the area indicated by V in FIG. 2 to effect a swinging of the door about the vertical axis or at the area indicated by H, to effect a swinging of the door about the horizontal axis. With the area of grasp for the vertical axis furthest removed from that axis it can be seen that greater leverage is afforded in opening the door. It is important to note that the door may be grasped at any point without changing the axis and that it is not until the fingers are specifically slid under the bar that the change in axis will be effected.

As seen in cross-section in FIG. 9, the handle bar portion 14a projects outwardly from an area on the front of the door adjacent the upper edge of the door. A skirt 141) depends from the outer edge of the portion 14a to conceal the selector means from a normal viewpoint.

The selector handle means comprises two elongated flanges 25v and 25h projecting through a corresponding pair of triangularly shaped openings 12g and 12e in the front panel 12f of door 12. The lengthened position of the anges reduces the force necessary to operate the door mechanism. At a point inside the door the fianges are attached to portions 26v and 26h respectively of the body member 26. In addition to the portions 26v and 26h, the body member has a circular central member 267". The hole 26a in the body member has an annular projection 26e therein that engages an annular groove 26a in a portion 26e of the handle retaining member 26b which projects through the rear panel 12r of door 12 and which is received into the opening 26a. The portion 26e thus provides a hub about which the handle 25 may rotate.

The projections 26e and 26g are located on the handle and have links 22 and 24 respectively attached thereto so that the links are in a generally tangential relation to the circular body portion 26. One projection is located on each of the portions 26v and 26h. With the selector means directly connected between the first and third actuator means it is subject to the snap action means of the first hinge means so that it will move instantaneously into and out of position.

It will be appreciated that other configurations of the selector means could be provided for location in the upper left-hand corner of door 12. In such position, the flange 25v would be moved 90 counterclockwise to roughly parallel the left edge of the door with the fiange 25h in its same attitude. The handle bar 14 would extend vertically down the left side from the upper left-hand edge to cover the flange 25v. Such configuration would allow swinging about the vertical axis while grasping the vertical handle bar portion Whereas grasping the horizontal handle portion `would result in the door swinging about the horizontal axis. In other words, the portions grasped would parallel the axis of rotation.

Selector means with torque-limiting feature In FIGS. 10, 11 and l2 a second embodiment of the selector means is shown which has an additional torquelimiting feature. Whereas the handle 25 of FIGS. 2 and 9 could only be pushed through the use of finger tips, it is obvious that the handle may be grasped with the entire hand and have considerable torque applied thereto. If the shifting mechanism Within the door were to somehow become jammed, the torque could bend the links 122 and 124 or otherwise damage the mechanism. It is to prevent this possibility that the torque-limiting structure is provided.

As may Ibe viewed through a section of the door in FIG. 11 and in exploded perspective in FIG. 12, the torque-limiting selector mechanism comprises a handle 125 fixedly secured to a first rotating block member 126, a second rotating block 127, a third rotating block member 128 and a coil spring 129. The second block member 127 has a first pin 127a and a second pin 127e thereon. A coil spring 129 surrounds portions of all of the rotating blocks and is fixed at one end to the first block and at the other end to the third block. A handle 125 has a shaft portion 125:1 that extends through holes in the centers of the three blocks and is journalled in the third block. Handle 125 has an arcuate slot 125R in the shaft portion 125a which guides a tab portion 12T 0f door 12. This arrangement limits the angle through which handle 125 may be turned since tab 12T will come to rest against one end of slot 125R.

The first block 126 has an arcuate slot 126a in what will normally be the upper right-hand quadrant thereof. The slot 126a receives the first pin 127a therein. Spring 129, being retained at 129s by a protrusion 127b and anchored to the first block 126 at 129], exerts a counterclockwise force on a pin 127a to bias it against an end 12611 of the slot 126a- Likewise the third block means 128 has an arcuate slot 128a therein, here shown in the lower right-hand quadrant, which slot similarly receives the second pin 127e` that projects from the second block. The spring 129 has its end 129i fixedly secured to the third block means and is restrained on the second block at 129s by a projection 127b to exert a counterclockwise force on a pin 127C so that it is biased against an end 128b of the slot 128a. Spring 129 therefore produces a bias on both pins 127g and 127c- The third block means 128 comprises a central block portion 128:1 having an arcuate slot 128g and a hole 128k therein. The block portion 128:] is fixed to an end wall 128e which serves as an end wall of the cylindrical portion 128]". A connector means 128g and 128k are shown here as rods extending from the end wall 128e to a point beyond the cylindrical portion 128f where they 1 1 serve as means by which the shifting links 122 and 124 may be connected to the selector means 120.

In. FIG. ll, the location of the torque-limiting means between the front panel 112)c and rear panel 112r of door 112 is readily apparent. The handle 125, passing through the front panel 112f, serves to mount the limiting means on the front panel, while a retaining member 1281', similar in construction to the retaining member 261), functions to rotatably mount the limiting means on the rear panel 1121'.

Except for the torque-limiting means 120 and the slightly different orientation of the links 122, 124, the construction of closure 112 and the first, second and third hinge means thereon is exactly the same as that as previously set out for the closure 12.

From the above detailed description of the various parts, it may be seen that the torque-limiting mechanism functions as follows: upon clockwise movement of the handle 125 to effectuate swinging of the closure 112 about the horizontal axis H-H, the first block 126 moves the second block 127 through the direct bearing of slot end 126b against pin 127a. The portion of spring 129 between 129]c and 129s is bypassed, so to speak, by the direct connection of the blocks 126 and 127. Between such portions of the spring 129s and 129i however, there is 110 direct bearing since the pin 127e` may slide in the slot 128er through an arc of about 90 until it abuts the slot end 128C. Forces are transmitted between the second and third blocks by the portion of spring 129 that extends between 129s and 129t. At point 129s the pin 127b exerts a clockwise force on the spring that is transferred to the third block 128 only through the spring 129. Handle 125, blocks 126, 127 and 128 and spring 129 will therefore move together unless the restraining torque on block 128 exceeds the spring bias torque.

Before pin 127C cornes into direct Contact with end 128C of slot 128a, the tab 12T will come into contact with the end of slot 125R. This provides a positive stop for handle 125 thereby preventing it from turning any faster. The amount of torque therefore which is actually transmitted to the links and shifting means from the selector means is effectively limited by the portion of the spring 129 between 129s and 129i.

Operation of the handle and torque-limiting means in a counter-clockwise direction to effect a swinging of the closure about the vertical axis V-V will be just the reverse with the portion of spring 129 between 129f and 129s limiting the torque transmitted. In this case the counter-clockwise force will be transmitted from spring end 129]C to the spring portion 129s which bears against y projection 127b of the second block. With the pin 127e` butting against end 128b, any force applied to the second block 127 is directly transmitted to the third block. The force in the spring between end 1291 and the portion 129s increases as the pin 12711 slides in the slot 12661 toward the slot end 126C until it reaches a point just before the contact of 12751 and 126C where tab 12T comes into contact with the end of slot 125R. This effectively limits the force which may be transmitted to the rest of the system. Ordinarily enough force will be transmitted by the spring so that operation of the shifting mechanism would take place long before the high torque was attained and it is contemplated that only where the system somehow jams that this limiting function would come into full use.

Operation For purposes of illustration it will be assumed that the user wishes to change from the vertical hinging arrangement shown in FIG. 2 to a horizontal hinging axis whereby the door swings down. To allow this change the door 12 must be fully closed so that door catch knobs 61 and 97b have disengaged leaf springs 63 and 97C from tooth structures 42s and 92s on the actuator arms 42 and 92 respectively.

With the door closed the operator grasps the handle bar 14 in the area generally indicated at H on FIG. 2 and slides his fingertips under the bar so they press upwardly on the flange 25h and thereby begin to rotate the body member 26, which is attached to the flange 25h, counterclockwise about the hub 26e. This rotary movement simultaneously transmits the force through the links 22 and 24 from a generally tangent point on the circular portion 26k of the selector body member 26 to generally tangent points on the respective circular arm ends 42k, 92a of the shifter mechanisms 40 and 90.

Thus, the link 22 exerts force on the actuator arm 42 urging it to rotate clockwise about the hub 43 while the link 24 exerts a force on the actuator arm 92 urging it into clockwise rotation about the hub 93.

Movement of the selector means 20 however, is initially resisted and the force stored as potential energy by the bowed leaf spring 44 of the shifter mechanism 48 until the force is sufficient to move the leaf spring 44 from a position as seen in FIG. 2 over a center position whereupon the spring snaps into an oppositely bowed position as is shown in FIG. 3, thereby releasing the potential energy of the spring to move the entire shifter mechanism, including the selector means 2t) and shifting means 40 and 90, simultaneously into a position where the axis of rotation is about the horizontal axis.

During the movement of the shifter means, the arm 42 rotates clockwise to slide the member 45 in the slide channel 46, thereby pushing the hinge connector 47 through a hole 50g into engagement with the hinge 50. Simultaneous with this action in the first hinge means, the actuator arm 92 of the third hinge means is rotating clockwise thereby sliding the member in the channel 96 and pulling the hinge pin 94 out of engagement with the mounting means 98. A reversal of the above operation takes place when the user changes from the horizontal to the vertical axis.

With the hinge 50 engaged and the hinge mounting 98 disengaged the door may be swung downwardly. The friction catch knobs 61 and 9719 more than adequately hold the door itself firmly closed but may be overcome by slight force of the user. As the door swings downwardly on the hinges 50 and 75 about the pivot points 55 and 72 respectively, both of which are located on axis H-H, the depending portions 50a and 75a of each spring cause the springs 59 and 79 respectively to elongate and counter-balance the weight of the door 12. Having counterbalance means on both hinges has been found to provide ease of operation free from possible racking or bending of the door.

In the case where the axis has been shifted to the vertical, the door swings open about the hinge pin 94 (shown in detail in FIG. 8) and the hinge 81 (shown in FIGS. 5- 7). If the cabinet is level, no counter-balance is necessary, however, a conventional counter-balance and/ or stop feature may be easily added.

Operation of the selector means on the door 112 as set out in the description of FIGS. 10-12 produces the same type movements of links 122 and 124 so that operation of the hinge means 140, and 190 of door 112 is exactly the same as that of their counterparts on door 12.

From the foregoing description of the construction and operation of our invention, it may be seen that we have produced a safe, convenient, attractive, sturdy and economical axis-shifting mechanism for multiple-axis doors.

Although minor modifications might be suggested by those versed in the art, it should be understood that we wish to embody within the scope of the patent warranted hereon all such modifications as reasonably and properly come within the scope of our contribution to the art.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

1. A two way closure means for an opening in an adjacent supporting surface comprising a supporting surface, a door mounted on said support surface selectively 13 changeable to swing about m-ultiple axes of rotation between a closed position in abutment with said support surface covering said opening and an open position wherein said opening is not covered, an axis changing mechanism on said door,

a safety lock means on said door including,

(l) a safety lock positioned to prevent operation of said axis changing mechanism when engaged therewith or to allow operation of said axis changing mechanism when disengaged therefrom,

(2) a catch knob mounted on and projecting from said cabinet, said catch knob disengaging said safety lock when said door is in said closed position and allowing said safety lock to engage said axis changing mechanism when said door is not in abutment with said cabinet,

said door being mounted on said supporting surface with first, second and third hinge means spaced about said door,

a first axis passing through said first and second hinge means whereby said door may be selectively swung about said first axis,

a second axis passing through said second and third hinge means whereby said door may be selectively swung about said second axis,

said axis changing mechanism including,

(A) a shifter mechanism on said rst and third hinge means,

,(B) a two-way hinge on said second hinge means,

(C) a selector cooperating with said first and third hinge means to alternately engage either said rst or third hinge means for rotation of said door about the first or second axis respectively,

(D) said safety lock means being positioned adjacent each shifter mechanism and cooperating with the selector means so that both safety lock catch knobs must engage their respective safety locks to allow operation of said axis changing mechanism.

2. A closure means according to claim 1, wherein each of said safety lock means additionally includes,

(A) a frictionally gripping socket member on said door adapted to receive and hold said catch knob when said door is in said closed position thereby holding said door on said cabinet during changing of the axis of rotation.

3. IIn a closure means according to claim 1 wherein said first hinge means includes,

(A) a hinge mounted on said cabinet pivotal about the first axis and having a portion thereof projecting outwardly from said cabinet,

(B) said shifter mechanisms of said first and third hinge means comprising,

(1) an actuator arm pivotally mounted at one end,

I(2) a slide channel,

(3) a slide in said slide channel,

(4) said actuator arm having its other end engaging said slide so that movement of said axis selector will move said slide into and out of engagement `with said hinge and thereby change the axis of rotation of said door.

4. A closure means according to claim 3 wherein said axis changing mechanism additionally includes a snap action means on said first hinge means comprising,

a leaf spring bowed between its ends and engaging the actuator arm so that when the spring snaps over center between oppositely bowed positions the shifter mechanism on both the first and third hinge means is operated to change the axis of rotation.

5. A closure means according to claim 3 wherein said actuator arm, slide and slide channel of said first and third hinge means are of substantially identical design.

A6. A closure means alternately swingable about either a first or second axis comprising:

(A) a door,

(B) a supporting surface adjacent said door,

|(C) a first hinge means adapted to selectively mount said door on said supporting surface,

(D) a second hinge means spaced from said first hinge means mounting said door on said supporting surface,

(E) a third hinge means spaced from said first and second hinge means adapted to selectively mount said door on said supporting surface,

(F) a first axis passing through said first and second hinge means whereby said door may be swung about said first axis between an open and a closed position,

(G) -a second axis passing through said second and third hinge means whereby said door may be swung about said second axis between an open and a closed position,

(H) a selector cooperating with said first and third hinge means to change the axis of rotation from the first to the second axis by simultaneously engaging the third hinge means and disengaging the first hinge means, or to change the axis of rotation from the second to the first axis by simultaneously engaging the first hinge means and disengaging the third hinge means,

(I) a safety lock limiting the operation of the selector and the consequent changing of the axis to the period when the door is in the closed position adjacent the supporting surface, thereby assuring that the first and third hinge means are not simultaneously disengaged while the door is open or not adjacent to the supporting surface,

said first hinge means including,

(I) a hinge mounted on said supporting surface, pivotal about the first axis and having a portion thereof projecting outwardly from said support surface, and

(K) a shifter mechanism mounted on said door comprising,

(1) an actuator arm having, (a) an upper circular end rotatably mounted on a hub, said upper end connected to said selector whereby it moves in response to movement of the selector, (b) an intermediate portion, and (c) a lower end,

(2) a slide channel having a first end and a second end,

(3) a slide in said channel slidable in said channel engaging the lower end of said actuator arm and having a hinge connector engaging said outward projecting hinge portion so that movement of the selector will rotate said actuator arm which in turn will slide said slide and hinge connector into and out of engagement with the hinge to effect swinging of the door about the first and second axes respectively.

7. A closure means according to claim 6, wherein said hinge has (A) a first stop limiting the downward swing of said door about the first axis to approximately so that the fully-opened door serves as a work area,

(B) a second stop limiting the closing of said door adjacent said support surface, and

(C) a resilient means attached thereto to serve as a counterbalance for said door when it is swung about the first axis.

8. A closure means according to claim 6, including,

a snap action means cooperating with said selector and said first and third hinge means to instantaneously and completely change the axis of rotation.

y9. A closure means according to claim 8, wherein said snap action means comprises,

(A) a fixed support positioned below said slide channel, and

(B) a bowed leaf spring having its upper end seated on said hub and its lower end seated in said fixed support below said slide channel, said fixed support being located at a distance from the spring seat on the hub less than the unbowed length of said spring whereby said spring is bowed and -will snap over center from alternate bowed positions, said bowed leaf spring having its middle portion slidably passing through said actuator arm so that said leaf spring and said actuator arm move together to snap said hinge engaging means into and out of engagement with said hinge.

10. A closure means according to claim 9, wherein,

(A) said slide channel is located between the ends of the leaf spring, is of a rectangular tubular crosssection and has top and bottom openings of a size to accommodate said snap action means,

(B) said lower end of said actuator arm passes through said upper opening to engage said slide, (C) said leaf spring passes through both said upper and lower openings,

(D) said slide channel end has an opening of lesser extent than said slide, but of greater extent than said hinge-engaging means whereby movement of the hinge-engaging means past the first end is limited,

(E) said hub, slide channel and lower support point being part of a unitary shifter body.

11. A closure means according to claim 6, wherein (A) the safety lock means comprises,

(l) a locking surface on said actuator arm,

(2) a spring lock mounted on said shifter mechanism and resiliently biased against said locking surface so as to prevent rotation of said actuator arm when the spring is in engagement with said locking surface,

(3) a door catch mounted on and extending from said supporting surface and adapted to move said spring lock out of engagement with said locking surface when said door is in the closed position adjacent said supporting surface thereby allowing the changing of the axis of rotation.

12.. A closure means according to claim 6, wherein said third hinge means comprises,

(A) a mounting member mounted on said supporting surface projecting outwardly therefrom having a hinge pin receiving hole therein coaxial with the second axis,

(B) a shifter mechanism mounted on said door cornprising,

(1) an actuator arm having,

(a) an upper circular end rotatably mounted, (b) said upper end connected to said selector whereby it moves in response to movement of the selector, (c) an intermediate portion, and (d) a lower end,

(2) a slide channel having a first end and a second end,

(3) a slide in said channel slidable in said channel, engaging the lower end of said actuator arm and having a hinge pin for engaging said hole in the mounting means so that movement of the selector will rotate the actuator arm which in turn will slide said hinge pin into and out of engagement with the mounting member to effect swinging of the door about the second and first axes respectively.

13. A closure means according to claim 6 wherein said selector com-prises,

(A) a handle bar having, an outwardly projecting portion with one edge attached to said door and the other edge having a skirt depending therefrom in parallel relation to said door,

(B) a concealed only slightly rotable handle mounted on said door below and behind said handle bar comprising (1) a rotatable body member,

(2) elongated flanges extending from generally diametrically opposed sides of said body member and situated completely below said outwardly projecting portion of said bar so as to be completely concealed at all times whereby fingers of a user must be extended under the skirt to press against alternate ones of said flanges to effect slight rotary movement thereof said body member having means to attach the the links connecting the selector and the shifter mechanism so that movement of the selector are directly transmitted to the shifter mechanisms.

`14. A closure means according to claim 11, wherein said third hinge means comprises,

(A) a mounting means mounted on said supporting surface, projecting outwardly therefrom and having a hinge pin receiving hole therein coaxial with the second axis,

(B) a shifter mechanism mounted on said door comprising,

(l) an actuator arm having, (a) an upper circular end rotably mounted, (b) said upper end connected to said selector -whereby it moves in response to movement of the selector, (c) an intermediate portion, and (d) a lower end,

(2) a slide channel having a first end and a second end,

(3) a slide in said channel slidable in said channel, engaging the lower end of said actuator arm and having a hinge pin for engaging said hole in the mounting means so that movement of the selector will rotate the actuator arm which in turn will slide said hinge pin into and out of engagement with the mounting means to effect swinging of the door of about the first and second axes respectively.

15. A closure means according to claim 14, wherein said snap action means comprises,

(A) a fixed support positioned below said slide channel, and

(B) a bowed leaf spring having its upper end seated on said hub and its lower end seated in a fixed support below said slide channel, said fixed support being located at a distance from the spring seat on the hub less than the unbowed length of said spring whereby said spring is bowed and will snap over center from alternate bowed lpositions, said bowed leaf spring having its middle portion slidably passing through said actuator arm so that said leaf spring and said actuator arm move together to snap said hinge engaging means into and out of engagement with said hinge.

16. A closure means according to claim 14, wherein said second hinge means comprises,

(A) a horizontally pivotal hinge mounted on said supporting surface pivotal about the first axis and having,

(l) a portion thereof projecting outwardly from said support surface, said first axis being horizontal and passing through said outwardly projecting portion,

(2) a `first stop limiting the downward swing of said door about the first axis to approximately so that when fully opened the door serves as a horizontal work area,

(3) a resilient means attached thereto and adapted to serve as a counterbalance for said door when it is swung about the horizontal axis,

(B) a vertically pivotal hinge fixedly attached to the 17 door and pivotal about the vertical axis on a hinge pin that is coaxial with the vertical axis and mounted on said horizontally pivotal hinge through two vertically spaced tabs bent 90 out of the plane of said horizontally pivoted hinge. 17. A closure means alternately swngable about either a first or second axis comprising,

(A) a door,

(B) a supporting surface adjacent said door,

(C) a first hinge means adapted to selectively mount said door on said supporting surface,

(D) a second hinge means spaced from said first hinge means mounting said door on said supporting surface,

(E) a third hinge means spaced from said first and second hinge means adapted to selectively mount said door on said supporting surface,

(F) a first axis passing through said first and second hinge means whereby said door may be swung about said first axis between an open and a closed position,

(G) a second axis passing through said second and third hinge means whereby said door may be swung about said second axis between an open and a closed position,

(H) a selector cooperating with said first and third hinge means to change the axis of rotation from the first to the second axis by simultaneously engaging the third hinge means and disengaging the first hinge means, or to change the axis of rotation from the second to the first axis by simultaneously engaging the first hinge means and disengaging the third hinge means, said selector coordinating the operation of said first and third hinge means comprising,

(I) a first rotatable block means located at a point on said door remote from said first and third hinge means having the form of a cylinder with one end closed by an end wall having an arcuate slot with first and second ends,

(J) a first rigid linkage means connecting said first block and the shifter mechanism of said first hinge means,

(K) a second rigid linkage means connecting said first block and the shifter mechanism of said third hinge means so that rotation of the block in either direction actuates both shifter mechanisms to change the axis of rotation,

(L) torque-limiting handle means for rotating said block means comprising,

(1) a handle means having an arcuate slot therein with first and second ends,

(2) a projection on said door projecting into the slot in said handle,

(3) a third rotatable block having an arcuate slot with first and second ends in a portion of said third block facing said first block,

(4) a second rotatable block within the cylindrical portion of said first block having a first pin projecting toward said first block end wall and into the arcuate slot of said end wall and a second pin projecting into the arcuate slot in the third rotating block,

(5) a spiral spring means having a first portion with one end attached to said first block and the other end portion connected with the second block and having a second portion with one end portion connected with said second block and the other end attached to said third block biasing said first pin against said first end of said arcuate slot in said first block and biasing said second pin against said first end of said arcuate slot in the third block so that as said handle means is rotated clockwise said second pin bears against the first end of said slot in the third block to transmit the torque from the handle means directly to said second block whereas the torque is transmitted from the second block to the first block through the spring until the rotational resistance of the drum overcomes the force of the spring whereas the first pin will move in the arcuate slot of said first block until the projection on the door reaches the end of the slot in the handle thereby limiting the torque transmitted to the block means and preventing change to the system.

References Cited FOREIGN PATENTS 3,018,508 1/1962 Keeling 16-147 3,018,509 1/1962 Sherman 16-147 3,408,100 10/-1968 McKey 49-192 XR 3,454,299 7/1969 Hewitt et al. 49-192 XR 45 KENNETH DOWNEY, Primary Examiner U.S. Cl. X.R. 16-147

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