US3911526A

US3911526A - Door closer assembly and self-aligning stop

Info

Publication number: US3911526A
Application number: US525700A
Authority: US
Inventors: Charles B Christy; Richard L Zunkel
Original assignee: Eaton Corp
Current assignee: Eaton Corp; Yale Security Inc
Priority date: 1974-11-21
Filing date: 1974-11-21
Publication date: 1975-10-14
Anticipated expiration: 1992-10-14

Abstract

A non-handed door closer assembly is provided of the type including a main arm mounted to rotate relative to the door, a secondary arm pivotally connected to the main arm, and a soffit plate mounting the secondary arm to the door frame. A selfaligning stop member is rotatably mounted on the underside of the soffit plate to limit rotation of the secondary arm with respect to the soffit plate when the secondary arm reaches a predetermined orientation relative to the soffit plate. The stop comprises a frame portion mounted to be freely rotatable about an axis, and rotation of the frame portion defines a plane generally parallel to the planes of rotation of the main arm and the secondary arm. The stop further comprises a stop portion projecting downwardly from the frame portion and including a generally vertical stop surface disposed to engage the secondary arm when the secondary arm reaches the pre-determined orientation during either left hand or right hand operation. The stop surface is transversely disposed from the axis of rotation, such that engagement of the secondary arm and the stop surface causes the stop to rotate to either its correct right hand orientation or its correct left hand orientation.

Description

United States Patent Christy et al.

Oct. 14, 1975 DOOR CLOSER ASSEIVIBLY AND SELF-ALIGNING STOP Inventors: Charles B. Christy, Charlotte;

Richard L. Zunkel, Marshville, both of NC.

[57] ABSTRACT A non-handed door closer assembly is provided of the type including a main arm mounted to rotate relative to the door, a secondary arm pivotally connected to the main arm, and a soffit plate mounting the secondary arm to the door frame. A self-aligning stop member is rotatably mounted on the underside of the soffit plate to limit rotation of the secondary arm with respect to the soffit plate when the secondary arm reaches a predetermined orientation relative to the soffit plate. The stop comprises a frame portion [52] Us. CL l 16/49; 16/85; 16/DIG 17 mounted to be freely rotatable about an axis, and rota- 51 Int. cl. E05F 3/00 Of the heme Pettieh defines a Plane generally [58] Field of Search 16/49, 51, DIG. 17, 71, Petahel t0 the Planes tOtetie" of the main arm and 16/82 74/526. 292/263 275 the secondary arm. The stop further comprises a stop portion projecting downwardly from the frame portion [56] References Cited and including a generally vertical stop surface dis- UNITED STATES PATENTS posed to engage the secondary arm when the secondary arm reaches the pre-determined orientation during 528,146 10/1894 Case l6/DIG. 17 either left h or right hand Operation The p Sup r g face is transversely disposed from the axis of rotation, 3259936 7/1966 ggi 16/49 such that engagement of the secondary arm and the stop surface causes the stop to rotate to either its cor- Primay Examiner George H Krizmanich rect right hand orientation or its correct left hand ori- Attorney, Agent, or FirmTeagno & Toddy ematlon' 11 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures I l i l a ,1 l 23 ,j l I --7- l( I l l i i F: l i i 5 l I 1 i l l i: 23 l --l9 U.S. Patent Oct. 14, 1975 Sheet 1 of3 3,911,526

FIG. 2

FIG.

U.S. Patent Oct. 14, 1975 Sheet 2 of3 3,911,526

l HI] 39 FIG. 4

US. Patent Oct. 14, 1975 Sheet 3 of3 3,911,526

DOOR CLOSER ASSEMBLY AND SELF-ALIGNING STOP BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE The present invention relates to door closer assemblies, and more particularly, to a door closer assembly utilizing a stop member for limiting opening of the closing arm which is self-aligning and thus, may be used for either left hand or right hand operation.

Although the stop means of the present invention may be used with a door closer assembly which is designed for right hand operation or with a door closer assembly which is designed for left hand operation, it is especially useful with non-handed door closers, and will be described in connection therewith. As used herein, the term non-handed", in reference to a door closer, means that the closer is designed for either left hand operation or right hand operation, so that at the time of installation, any one closer assembly may be utilized for either hand of operation.

In view of the versatility of non-handed door closer assemblies, it has become desirable to provide on such assemblies a stop means for limiting opening movement of the door by limiting the rotation of the closing arm. Furthermore, it is desirable for the closer assembly to include a stop means which is capable of aligning itself to accomplish the necessary stopping action regardless of whether the closer assembly is to be mounted for left hand operation or right hand operation. The stop means of the present invention eliminates the necessity of repositioning or readjusting a stop member at the time of installation of the closer assembly.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a door closer assembly including a stop means which is capable of aligning itself for either hand of operation of the closer assembly.

It is a more specific object of the present invention to provide stop means operable to pivot between a left hand position and a right hand position while providing, in either position, a stop surface operable to engage the closing arm.

It is an even more specific object of the present invention to provide a door closer assembly including a main arm mounted for rotation with respect to either the door or the frame, a secondary arm pivotally connected to the main arm and means mounting the secondary arm to the other of the door and frame for relative rotation therewith. A stop means is associated with the mounting means for limiting rotation of the secondary arm with respect to the mounting means when the secondary arm reaches a predetermined orientation. The stop means comprises a frame portion mounted to be freely rotatable about an axis, rotation of the frame portion defining a plane generally parallel to the planes of rotation of the main arm and secondary arm. The stop means further comprises a stop portion projecting from the frame portion in a direction oppositely disposed from the mounting means, the stop portion including a stop surface disposed to engage the secondary arm when the secondary arm reaches the predetermined orientation, during either left hand operation or right hand operation. The stop surface is transversely disposed from the axis of rotation such that engagement of the secondary arm and the stop surface, when the stop means is not oriented in either the left hand position or the right hand position, will cause the stop means to rotate to either the left hand position or the right hand position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a somehwat schematic plan view of a door and door closer assembly illustrating the closed-door and open-door position.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged, fragmentary plan view similar to a portion of FIG. 1, corresponding to both the closed-door and open-door positions, right hand operation.

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2 illustrating both closed-door and open-door positions, left hand operation.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 44 of FIG. 2, and on a scale twice that of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 55 of FIG. 2, and also on a scale twice that of FIG. 2.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 5, illustrating an alternative embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now to the drawings, which are for the purpose of illustrating preferred embodiments of the present invention, and not for limiting the same, FIG. 1 illustrates the environment for which the stop means of the present invention is especially adapted. In FIG. 1, a door 11 is mounted to swing within a door frame 13 by means of a set of hinges 15. Opening and closing action of the door 11 is controlled by a door closer assembly 17, including a door closer 19 which may be of the type illustrated in US Pat. No. 2,994,906, assigned to the assignee of the present invention, and which forms no part of the present invention. The door closer 19, which is mounted on the door 11, is interconnected with a soffit plate 21, disposed on the door frame 13 by means of a closing arm assembly which includes a main closing arm 23, secondary closing arm 25. Thus, as used hereinafter, the term closing arm may refer to and include either the main arm 23, the secondary arm 25, or a combination of the

arms

23 and 25. Furthermore, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the present invention may be utilized with a door closer assembly not including the door closer 19, the closing arm assembly merely being pivotally mounted relative to the door.

FIG. 1 illustrates both the closed-door position (solid lines), and the open-door position (broken lines). It will be noted that as the door 11 swings toward the open door position, main closing arm 23 pivots relative to the door closer l9 and the secondary closing arm 25 rotates relative to the soffit plate 21 until the rotation of the arm 25 stops at the position shown by the dotted lines in FIG. 1, and in more detail in FIG. 2. Referring now to the fragmentary view of FIG. 2, there is shown the soffit plate 21 and a fragmentary portion of the secondary closing arm 25 which is pivotally mounted to the soffit plate 21, as by means of a shoulder bolt 27 engaging the pin 27 on the underside of the soffit plate 21. The soffit plate 21 includes a number of counter-bored holes 31, useable for fastening the soffit plate to the door frame 13, such as by means of a plurality of flatheaded screws (not shown). Extending through the soffit plate 21 is a rivet 33 which is used to rotatably mount a stop means 35.

FIG. 2, illustrating parallel-arm application of the closer assembly, right hand operation and FIG. 3, illustrating parallel-arm application of the closer assembly, left hand operation, will be referred to subsequently in connection with the operation of the stop means 35, although it should be clearly understood that the present invention may be utilized with closer assemblies installed for other than parallel-arm application.

In the cross-sectional views of FIGS. 4 and the stop means 35 is shown in greater detail. The stop means 35 includes a generally rectangular frame portion 37 which is pivotally mounted on the underside of the soffit plate 21 by means of the rivet 33, the head of rivet 33 engaging the undersurface 39 of frame portion 37. Extending downwardly from undersurface 39 is a pair of generally rectangular stop portions 41, oriented to extend lengthwise of frame portion 37, the stop portions 41 being disposed generally parallel to each other. At the end of each of the stop portions 41, toward the rivet 33, is a stop surface 43, intended to engage the side surface of secondary closing arm 25, as is shown best in FIG. 5.

Referring again to FIG. 2, the stop means 35 is shown in dotted form because FIG. 2 is a top plan view and the stop means is mounted on the underside of the soffit plate 21. In FIG. 2 the stop means 35 is shown nearly in its right-hand position, with the side of secondary arm 25 in engagement with one of the stop surfaces 43. From the position shown in FIG. 2, as the door 11 continues to open, the secondary arm 25 will continue to rotate clockwise, perhaps 1 or 2, while the stop means 35 will rotate approximately the same number of degrees in a counterclockwise direction in response to rotation of the secondary arm 25 until both the stop surfaces 43 engage the secondary arm 25. When both stop surfaces 43 engage with the secondary arm 25, further opening the door 11 will be prevented and the door will be stopped in a predetermined position. Similarly, in FIG. 3, the secondary closing arm 25 will rotate through a small angle from the position shown, possibly 4 or 5 in the counterclockwise direction, and the stop means 35 will rotate approximately the same number of degrees and also in the counterclockwise direction, again until both of the stop surfaces 43 are in engagement with the secondary closing arm 25, thus preventing further rotation of the stop means 35,. and corresponding movement of the door 11.

Referring now to FIG. 6, there is illustrated an alternative embodiment of the present invention which utilizes a plunger hold-open 51 in conjunction with the stop means 35. The plunger hold-open (or detent) 51 may be any of those well known in the art, an example of which is illustrated by US. Pat. No. 3,259,936, and assigned to the assignee of the present invention. In this embodiment of the invention, the rivet 33 performs an additional function, the head of the rivet defining a detent surface 53. The plunger hold-open 51 includes a plunger head 55 defining opening 57 generally configured such that it can engage the detent surface 53, the plunger head 55 being yieldably biased toward the engaged position shown by a spring (not shown in FIG. 6). Preferably, the transverse spacing of the plunger hold-open 51 on the secondary closing arm 25 is such that the side surface of the closing arm 25 engages stop surfaces 43 just as the opening 57 achieves engagement with the detent surface 53. The embodiment illustrated in FIG. 6 provides not only a self-aligning stop means, but also, a positive-acting mechanism for holding the door when it reaches the predetermined position.

The invention has been described in detail sufficient to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to make and use the same. Modifications and alterations of the preferred embodiment will occur to others upon a reading of the specification and it is our intention to include all such modifications and alterations insofar as they come within the scope of the appended claims.

We now claim:

1. In a non-handed door closer assembly the door elements including a door and a frame, the door closer assembly including a main arm mounted for rotation relative to one of said door and frame, a secondary arm pivotally connected to said main arm, means mounting said secondary arm to the other of said door and frame for relative rotation therewith, and stop means associated with said mounting means for limiting rotation of said secondary arm with respect to said mounting means when said secondary arm reaches a predetermined orientation relative thereto, said stop means comprising a frame portion mounted to be freely rotatable about an axis fixed with respect to said mounting means, rotation of said frame portion defining a plane generally parallel to the planes of rotation of said main arm and said secondary arm, said stop means further comprising a stop portion projecting from said frame.

portion in a direction oppositely disposed from said mounting means, said stop portion including a stop surface disposed to engage said secondary arm when said secondary arm reaches said predetermined orientation, said stop surface being transversely disposed from said axis.

2. A door closer assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein said mounting means comprises a soffit plate defining a longitudinal axis, said frame portion being pivotally connected to said soffit plate by a pivot means.

3. A door closer assembly as defined in claim 2 wherein said pivot meanscomprises a rivet extending through saidframe portion and terminating in a head portion oppositely disposed from said soffit plate about said frame portion.

4. A door closer assembly as defined in claim. 3 wherein said head portion defines a detent surface operable to engage a detent means associated with said secondary arm at approximately the same time that said secondary arm engages said stop surface.

5. A door closer assembly as defined in claim 3 wherein said head portion defines a detent surface, and including detent means mounted for movement with said secondary arm to engage said detent surface when said secondary arm engages said stop surface.

6. A door closer assembly as defined in claim 5 wherein said detent means comprises a plunger assembly yieldably biased toward a position wherein said plunger assembly engages said-detent surface.

7. A door closer assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein said assembly is operable for both left hand and right hand operations, said stop means is in a first position when said secondary arm reaches a left hand predetermined orientation, and said stop means is in a second position when said secondary arm reaches a right hand predetermined orientation.

8. A door closer assembly as defined in claim 7 wherein said first and second positions are oppositely disposed about said rotational axis, said frame portion being free to rotate through approximately 360.

9. A door closer assembly as defined in claim 8 wherein said secondary arm engages said stop portion during movement of said secondary arm toward'one of said left hand and right hand predetermined orientations to cause said stop means to pivot toward one of said first and second positions, respectively.

10. A non-handed door closer assembly for door elements including a door and a frame, comprising:

a. a closing arm assembly having one end mounted for rotation relative to one of said door and frame;

b. means mounting the other end of said closing arm assembly to the other of said door and frame for relative rotation therewith;

0. stop means associated with said mounting means for limiting rotation of said closing arm assembly with respect to said mounting means when said closing arm assembly reaches a predetermined orientation relative thereto;

d. said stop means comprising a frame portion mounted to be freely rotatable about an axis fixed with respect to said mounting means, rotation of said frame portion defining a plane generally parallel to the plane of rotation of said closing arm assembly;

e. said stop means further comprising a stop portion projecting from said frame portion in a direction generally perpendicular to said plane of rotation of said closing arm assembly, said stop portion including a stop surface disposed to engage said closing arm assembly when said closing arm assembly reaches said predetermined orientation, said stop surface being spaced apart from said axis.

11. A self-aligning stop assembly for limiting rotational movement of a door about a first axis by engaging a closing arm rotatable with said door, movement of said closing arm relative to said door defining a plane substantially perpendicular to said first axis, said selfaligning stop assembly comprising a stop member, means for supporting said stop member for rotation about a second axis disposed substantially parallel to said first axis, said stop member including a stop surface disposed substantially perpendicular to and intersecting said plane of rotation, said stop member being rotatable about said second axis to enable said stop assembly to align with closing arms associated with lefthand and right-hand doors, and said stop member being rotatable about said second axis in response to engagement of said stop surface with said closing arm upon said door, said stop surface being configured to permit said closing arm to rotate to a predetermined orientation wherein said stop surface engages said closing arm to prevent further rotation of said closing arm.

UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION PATENT N0. 1 3,911,526

DATED 1 1 /14/75 INVENTOWS) 1 Charles B. Christy; Richard L. Zunkel It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Col. 2, line 5: Correct spelling of "somehwat". Col. 3, line 39: After "opening" 1nsertof-.

Col. 4, line 13: After "assembly" delete "the" and insertfor-- Erigncd and Sealed this third D ay Of February I 976 [SEAL] Attest:

RUTH C. MASON C. MARSHALL DANN Atresring Officer Commissioner oj'Parents and Trademarks UNITED STATES'PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION PATENT NO. 3,911,526

DATED 10 14/75 INVENTOR(S) Charles B. Christy; Richard L. Zunkel It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Col. 2, line 5: Correct spelling of "somehwat". Col. 3, line 39: After "opening" insert---of--.

Col. 4, line 13: After "assembly" delete "the" and insertfor--.

Signed and Sealed this third Day of February 1976 [SEAL] A ttes t:

RUTH C. MASON C. MARSHALL DANN Arresting Officer Commissioner of Parents and Trademarks

Claims

1. In a non-handed door closer assembly the door elements including a door and a frame, the door closer assembly including a main arm mounted for rotation relative to one of said door and frame, a secondary arm pivotally connected to said main arm, means mounting said secondary arm to the other of said door and frame for relative rotation therewith, and stop means associated with said mounting means for limiting rotation of said secondary arm with respect to said mounting means when said secondary arm reaches a predetermined orientation relative thereto, said stop means comprising a frame portion mounted to be freely rotatable about an axis fixed with respect to said mounting means, rotation of said frame portion defining a plane generally parallel to the planes of rotation of said main arm and said secondary arm, said stop means further comprising a stop portion projecting from said frame portion in a direction oppositely disposed from said mounting means, said stop portion including a stop surface disposed to engage said secondary arm when said secondary arm reaches said predetermined orientation, said stop surface being transversely disposed from said axis.

3. A door closer assembly as defined in claim 2 wherein said pivot means comprises a rivet extending through said frame portion and terminating in a head portion oppositely disposed from said soffit plate about said frame portion.

4. A door closer assembly as defined in claim 3 wherein said head portion defines a detent surface operable to engage a detent means associated with said secondary arm at approximately the same time that said secondary arm engages said stop surface.

6. A door closer assembly as defined in claim 5 wherein said detent means comprises a plunger assembly yieldably biased toward a position wherein said plunger assembly engages said detent surface.

8. A door closer assembly as defined in claim 7 wherein said first and second positions are oppositely disposed about said rotational axis, said frame portion being free to rotate through approximately 360*.

9. A door closer assembly as defined in claim 8 wherein said secondary arm engages said stop portion during movement of said secondary arm toward one of said left hand and right hand predetermined orientations to cause said stop means to pivot toward one of said first and second positions, respectively.

10. A non-handed door closer assembly for door elements including a door and a frame, comprising: a. a closing arm assembly having one end mounted for rotation relative to one of said door and frame; b. means mounting the other end of said closing arm assembly to the other of said door and frame foR relative rotation therewith; c. stop means associated with said mounting means for limiting rotation of said closing arm assembly with respect to said mounting means when said closing arm assembly reaches a predetermined orientation relative thereto; d. said stop means comprising a frame portion mounted to be freely rotatable about an axis fixed with respect to said mounting means, rotation of said frame portion defining a plane generally parallel to the plane of rotation of said closing arm assembly; e. said stop means further comprising a stop portion projecting from said frame portion in a direction generally perpendicular to said plane of rotation of said closing arm assembly, said stop portion including a stop surface disposed to engage said closing arm assembly when said closing arm assembly reaches said predetermined orientation, said stop surface being spaced apart from said axis.

11. A self-aligning stop assembly for limiting rotational movement of a door about a first axis by engaging a closing arm rotatable with said door, movement of said closing arm relative to said door defining a plane substantially perpendicular to said first axis, said self-aligning stop assembly comprising a stop member, means for supporting said stop member for rotation about a second axis disposed substantially parallel to said first axis, said stop member including a stop surface disposed substantially perpendicular to and intersecting said plane of rotation, said stop member being rotatable about said second axis to enable said stop assembly to align with closing arms associated with left-hand and right-hand doors, and said stop member being rotatable about said second axis in response to engagement of said stop surface with said closing arm upon said door, said stop surface being configured to permit said closing arm to rotate to a predetermined orientation wherein said stop surface engages said closing arm to prevent further rotation of said closing arm.