Pneumatic Patents (Class 16/66)
  • Patent number: 8123005
    Abstract: An end-stop damper including a damper body in the form of a cylinder, wherein a piston is guided so that it is displaceable in the cylinder receiving chamber. An air pressure is formed in the receiving chamber produces a braking force acting on the piston during its displacement. The receiving chamber includes at least one pressure reducing opening and the piston includes a bellows section which is actively connected to the cylinder according to pressure conditions in the receiving chamber. This invention substantially simplifies the structural design of the end-stop damper because the piston and the bellows section are connected to each other so that they are formed in one piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: Karl Simon GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Ulrich Bantle, Jürgen Eschle
  • Patent number: 8096603
    Abstract: A lock (57) for a door assist system (12) for use on a vehicle door (10) and connected to a vehicle to lock the door into an open position. The door assist system includes a door handle (40) having a first operable position, a second operable position and a released position, a pneumatic actuator (28) having an actuator rod (32), where the actuator rod is extendable when the door handle is in the first operable position and the actuator rod is retractable when the door handle is in the second operable position. The door assist system also includes a slide block (34) displaceable by the actuator rod of the pneumatic actuator. The slide block (34) also includes a door link (54) connecting the slide block (34) to the vehicle frame. As the slide block is displaced away from the pneumatic actuator (28), the door link opens the door (10) with respect to the vehicle. The lock also includes a hydraulic locking actuator (58) with a hydraulic rod (66) extendable and retractable with the slide block (34).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: International Truck Intellectual Property Company, LLC
    Inventor: Nicholas M Cassaday
  • Patent number: 8051534
    Abstract: A pneumatic door closer for effecting the closing of an associated door having a controlled rate of a closing motion that is generally uniform, smooth and safe in moving from an opened to closed position of an associated door. The door closer includes an elongated cylinder with a displaceable piston defining a vacuum chamber and a pressure chamber within the elongated cylinder wherein the piston is normally biased toward a door closing position by a suitable spring. A piston rod connected to the piston has its free end extending through a rod opening that includes an air impervious seal formed about the piston rod extending therethrough. Disposed in communication with the vacuum chamber is a breather arrangement for diminishing in a controlled manner the level of vacuum being created within the vacuum chamber during the closing stroke of the piston to control the resulting resistance forces acting on the piston such that the closing speed is essentially uniform throughout the closing stroke.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Inventor: Valentin Luca
  • Publication number: 20110219584
    Abstract: A floor spring includes a case, a damper assembly received in the case, and mixed powder tilling a space inside the case covering the damper assembly. The damper assembly includes a spindle extending outwardly from the case. The mixed powder can prevent water, dust, or insects enter the case, such that the damper assembly is not tend to rust or fail.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2011
    Publication date: September 15, 2011
    Applicant: GUANGDONG KIN LONG HARDWARE PRODUCTS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: BAOKUN BAI
  • Publication number: 20110138573
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a door closer, and particularly to an air pressure inner circulation-type automatic compensation control door closer, comprising a cylinder body and a telescopic rod, wherein a one-way air intake valve means is provided at the other end of the cylinder body to take in air in one way in an internal cavity of the cylinder body when the door is opened, at one end portion of the telescopic rod in the interior of the cylinder body is connected a regulating valve means wherein the gas in the cylinder body flows cyclically in the cavity of the cylinder body when the telescopic rod in a moving state, an inner cover sealing means is fixedly provided inside the end cap, and a large compression spring is provided in a cavity between the inner cover sealing means and the regulating valve means; the internal cavity of the cylinder body is divided into two automatically pressurizeable and automatically compensatable gas cavities through the inner cover sealing means, the regulating valve me
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2010
    Publication date: June 16, 2011
    Applicant: CMECH (GUANGZHOU) INDUSTRIAL LTD.
    Inventor: Fengqing Wu
  • Publication number: 20110133029
    Abstract: An apparatus for closing a locker, which can be lowered, of a baggage compartment, in particular of an overhead baggage compartment in an aircraft, wherein the locker is connected in an actuating element (5) which is held on a frame (1) such that it can rotate or pivot, and is connected to a gas compression spring (18) in order to assist a closing movement of the locker. In order to allow a completely automatic closing movement, the invention proposes that an electromechanical hybrid drive is provided in order to drive the actuating element (5) and, in addition to the mechanical component of the gas compression spring (18), has an electrical drive apparatus (12) as an electrical component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2010
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Applicant: DIEHL AIRCABIN GMBH
    Inventors: Johannes Berkenhoff, Oleg Graf
  • Patent number: 7956297
    Abstract: A water resistant scale damper has a damper sleeve with an interior passage, an open top, and an open bottom. A piston is received in and axially slidable along the interior passage and has a top surface, an underside, and a piston rod extending from the underside toward the open bottom. A top cap is fitted over the open top of the sleeve and an air chamber is created between the top cap and the top surface of the piston. An air passage is formed through the top cap to permit air to enter and exit the air chamber. A portion of the top cap can create an elongate, non-linear air channel between the air passage and a port remote from the air passage and formed through the top cap. A bottom cap can also be fitted over the open bottom of the sleeve. The bottom cap has an annular flange that extends radially inward from a skirt of the bottom cap. The flange is funnel-shaped so as to direct liquid from beneath the underside of the piston toward a central opening in the flange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: Rubbermaid Incorporated
    Inventors: Michael P. Dawson, Mark A. Stultz, Joseph Ramos
  • Publication number: 20100242225
    Abstract: A pneumatic door closer which includes a cylinder which has a first end and an opposed second end; a piston which is slidingly engaged with the cylinder and which is biased towards the first end; a valve plug, a valve seat and a biasing member to bias the valve plug into sealing engagement with the valve seat to regulate the flow of air from the cylinder; and an adjustable assembly associated with the valve plug to vary the biasing force exerted on the valve plug thereby varying level of air pressure required inside the chamber before the valve plug is disengaged from the valve seat so that air is allowed to escape from the cylinder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2010
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Applicant: Assa Abloy Australia Pty Limited
    Inventors: Andrew John Teatuario Terei, Peter Gordon Sclater, Michael Barry des-David
  • Patent number: 7730579
    Abstract: A door holder and a door closer and, in particular, and improvements in door holders and closers for use in screen doors, storm doors or any type of door which has the need for a device for maintaining the door in a particular orientation and/or for self-closing of the door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Inventor: Thomas Edward Coe
  • Patent number: 7709729
    Abstract: A flexible inflatable hinge includes curable resin for rigidly positioning panels of solar cells about the hinge in which wrap around contacts and flex circuits are disposed for routing power from the solar cells to the power bus further used for grounding the hinge. An indium tin oxide and magnesium fluoride coating is used to prevent static discharge while being transparent to ultraviolet light that cures the embedded resin after deployment for rigidizing the inflatable hinge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignees: The Aerospace Corporation, ILC Dover, LP, Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: Edward J. Simburger, James H. Matsumoto, Thomas W. Giants, Alec Garcia, III, Alan R. Perry, Suraj Rawal, Craig H. Marshall, John K. H. Lin, Jonathan Robert Day, Thomas W. Kerslake, Stephen E. Scarborough
  • Patent number: 7464437
    Abstract: The apparatus for closing the door slowly and automatically can directly get the door closed by the piston rod without passing through a gear, so that the energy loss is little, and a small amount of air is contained in the hydraulic oil in order for the piston and the piston rod to be moved to the left and right hand side. The closing speed of the door can be adjustable by turning a speed adjustment bolt and for the installation, it is very easy to install the present invention since the function of the invention works with a force adjustment by turning the force adjustment nut when the invention is fixed to the door and doorframe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2008
    Inventor: Jang-Woo Song
  • Patent number: 7455154
    Abstract: A shock absorber with a shock absorber body having a cylinder. A piston is moveably guided in a receiving space of the cylinder. When the piston is moved, an air pressure generated in the receiving space exerts a braking force that acts on the piston. For air pressure reduction, the receiving space has at least one opening that produces an air-carrying connection between the receiving space and the environment. The shock absorber body has a simple design if the piston or the cylinder contains a receptacle into which an insert piece is inserted in a frictionally engaging fashion and if the opening is positioned between the insert piece and the wall of the receptacle that is touched by the insert piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2008
    Assignee: Karl Simon GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Ulrich Bantle, Jürgen Eschle
  • Publication number: 20080189907
    Abstract: A pneumatic door closer with a protective external telescoping cylinder and angled handhold. Such a closer is generally outfitted with a structural tubular support that follows the telescoping and collapsing of the closer's piston and that has sufficient stiffness to limit the stresses imposed on the piston throughout its extension. The support provides a resistance to perpendicular force. Moreover, when the piston is collapsed within the exterior chamber, the support pivots to the exterior chamber with bushing(s) fixed to the end of the support that travel along the length of the exterior column as the closer telescopes or collapses, to permit continued smooth sliding motion throughout the extension stroke.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2007
    Publication date: August 14, 2008
    Inventors: Edward V. Carter, Charles Hull
  • Publication number: 20080180006
    Abstract: A force supporting device for assisting a force required to move a flap of an overhead baggage compartment from an open position to a closed position includes a blockable piston cylinder unit attached to the flap for assisting the force required to move the flap, and a triggering device for blocking and releasing the blockable piston cylinder unit as a function of loading of the flap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2008
    Publication date: July 31, 2008
    Applicant: Stabilus GmbH
    Inventors: Jorg Hillen, Peter Kohns, Thorsten Muller, Michael Rudesheim, Dieter Wendling
  • Patent number: 7367086
    Abstract: A string type air damper includes a cylinder formed in a tubular shape, defining a guide hole at one end portion thereof, a piston, which moves in the cylinder, a helical spring for biasing the piston toward the other end portion of the cylinder, and a string member guided from inside of the cylinder to outside thereof through the guide hole. The piston and the string member are integrally formed. Since the string member is formed integrally with the piston, unlike a method according to a related art, it becomes unnecessary to form a loop at the base end portion of the string member with a complicated work and form a hook portion at the piston and hook the base end portion of the string member at the hook portion of the piston. Therefore, the string type air damper can be very easily assembled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2008
    Assignee: Piolax Inc.
    Inventor: Kiichiro Ito
  • Patent number: 7216400
    Abstract: A door hold and release mechanism is provided including a housing mounted onto the pneumatic cylinder of a door check or closer having a piston rod extending from one end of the cylinder. The piston rod passes through an oversized hole in a drop stop which restricts movement of the piston rod when the drop stop is tilted. A cap button is mounted on top of the housing and is connected to one end of an elongated shaft disposed in the housing. A spring exerts a bias pressure on the shaft which opposes the external force applied to the shaft when the cap button is depressed. A draw bar extends outwardly through the housing and is connected at one end to the drop stop. A cam action linkage connects the other end of the draw bar to the opposite end of the shaft. The linkage includes an elongated cam slot formed within the end of the shaft and a pin which extends through the slot and the rearward end of the draw bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Inventor: Ernest F. Hodson
  • Patent number: 7213299
    Abstract: A door piston to door jamb interface (30) includes an elongated plate (32) having a number of threaded holes (34) therein and a bracket (50) including a base (52) and a transverse support member (54) affixed to the base (52). Base (52) includes a set of holes (60) configured in the same pattern as each subset (36, 38 or 40) of threaded holes (34) of plate (32) whereupon, when set of holes (60) and one subset (36, 38 or 40) of threaded holes (34) are aligned, threaded bolts (44) inserted therethrough can threadedly mate with threaded holes (34) of subset (36, 38 or 40) of threaded holes (34) thereby securing base (52) to plate (32). Bracket (50) also defines a pin receiving hole (58) that is spaced from base (52) and which is configured to receive a pin (80) therethrough for pivotally securing an end of a door piston (78) to support member (54).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2007
    Assignee: Structural Protective Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Carmen Grande
  • Patent number: 7134168
    Abstract: A door closer comprises a cylinder with an extensible and retractable rod. The cylinder has a first end adapted to be secured to a door frame, while the rod has an outer end adapted to be connected to the door. The rod has a series of grooves along the length. A pawl is mounted in a housing on one end of the cylinder and is adapted for movement between an engaged position engaging one of the grooves of the rod and a disengaged position. A button on the housing is adapted to be depressed to move the pawl to the engaged position, whereby the pawl holds the door open in a selected position. The pawl can be disengaged from the rod merely by opening the door slightly, after which the spring-biased rod automatically pulls the door to the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2006
    Assignee: Betteli, Inc. Hong Kong
    Inventor: Wu Feng Qing
  • Patent number: 7118472
    Abstract: A mine door installation has a frame installed in a mine passageway. At least one door leaf is mounted on the frame for swinging movement between open and closed positions. Movement of the door leaf is powered by a pneumatic actuator. A pneumatically-powered control system may be provided to control the door installation. The pneumatic control system may comprise a calibrated vent to shorten the delay in the response of the door leaf to direction from the control system to stop moving. The pneumatic control system may also comprise a limit valve to prevent the door installation from opening when a second door installation is open, thereby preventing both door installations in an air lock from being open at the same time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2006
    Inventors: William R. Kennedy, John Matthew Kennedy
  • Patent number: 7111359
    Abstract: A bar or rod gripper for arresting the linear axial movement of a rod, e.g. the piston rod of a door closure between a door open or closed position, that includes a compressible bushing slidably disposed about the rod or bar, and a canter washer disposed about the compression bushing whereby the canter washer, when tilted, will cause the compression bushing to compress to impose a surface to surface frictional force onto the bar or rod to resist or restrain the axial movement thereof without scoring, pitting or indenting the outer surface of the rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2006
    Inventor: Valentin Luca
  • Patent number: 7016862
    Abstract: A method of providing security during operation of a self-service checkout terminal includes the step of creating a transaction table which includes a plurality of records corresponding respectively to a plurality of items entered into the checkout terminal during a checkout procedure. The method also includes the step of analyzing the plurality of records. The method further includes the step of generating a characteristic value in response to the analyzing step. Moreover, the method includes the step of comparing the characteristic value to a characteristic trigger point and generating a characteristic control signal in response thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2006
    Assignee: NCR Corporation
    Inventors: Ali M. Vassigh, Joanne S. Walter
  • Patent number: 6981295
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a hold-open apparatus for controlling the position of a door, preferably a screen door or storm door. The apparatus is used in conjunction with a piston assembly and can maintain a door in a predetermined open position, such as about 45° to about 100° in relation to a closed position. In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus can automatically lock and/or unlock when the door reaches predetermined positions. The apparatus advantageously can be retrofitted to existing door assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2006
    Inventor: Tom W. Duffy
  • Patent number: 6976289
    Abstract: A door closer having a door arresting mechanism to arrest a door in an opened position that includes a cylinder and piston assembly wherein the arresting mechanism includes a cam member having an arresting dwell cam profile and an indexing profile, and an associated cam follower member wherein one member is connected to the piston rod and the other member to the cylinder so that one member is fixedly connected to either the cylinder or piston rod and the other member rendered rotatable relative to the fixed member so that the arresting mechanism is rendered self actuating upon the opening or closing of the door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2005
    Inventor: Valentin Luca
  • Patent number: 6976288
    Abstract: A bar or rod gripper for arresting the linear axial movement of a rod, e.g. the piston rod of a door closure between a door open or closed position, that includes a compressible bushing slidably disposed about the rod or bar, and a canter washer disposed about the compression bushing whereby the canter washer, when tilted, will cause the compression bushing to compress to impose a surface to surface frictional force onto the bar or rod to resist or restrain the axial movement thereof without scoring, pitting or indenting the outer surface of the rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2005
    Inventor: Valentin Luca
  • Patent number: 6964411
    Abstract: A column unit includes a fixed upright tube with a bottom upright-tube end and a top upright-tube end and a telescopic tube axially displaceably guided in the upright tube. A cylinder of a pneumatic spring is axially displaceably guided in the telescopic tube. A piston rod projecting out of the cylinder of the pneumatic spring has a free end fastened on the upright tube proximate the bottom upright-tube end. A carry-along stop of the cylinder of the pneumatic spring allows the telescopic tube to be carried along out of the upright tube when the pneumatic spring is moved axially. A securing element limits an axial movement of the telescopic tube out of the upright tube. The securing element is arranged on the upright tube and abuts the outer cylindrical lateral surface of the telescopic tube with radially inwardly directed resilient prestressing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2005
    Assignee: Stabilus GmbH
    Inventor: Harald Pooschen
  • Patent number: 6957807
    Abstract: The invention concerns a damping device for damping the kinetic energy of movable cabinet components, which has a first damping element with a first cylinder that has a first piston, which slides lengthwise in it, and at least one more (second) damping element with a second cylinder that has a second piston, which slides lengthwise in it. Both damping elements are located one behind the other in a serial arrangement and form an integral system. The invention is characterized by the fact that each of the two damping elements are each designed as pneumatic (air) dampers, and a compression chamber and an expansion chamber respectively contain variable volumes; whereby, the damping effects of the damping elements are affected by the guide canals, which control the air distribution and air flow within and between the compression chambers and/or expansion chambers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2005
    Assignee: Grass GmbH
    Inventors: Martin Zimmer, Rainer Thallner, Juergen Ahlfeld, Wolfgang Mueller
  • Patent number: 6938372
    Abstract: A mine door assembly has a frame. At least one door leaf is mounted on the frame for swinging movement between open and closed positions. Movement of the door leaf is powered by a pneumatic actuator. The door installation also has a hydraulic checking system for controlling the speed of the door leaf as it moves back and forth between open and closed positions. A pneumatically-powered control system may be provided to control the door installation. The pneumatic control system may comprise a calibrated vent to shorten the delay in the response of the door leaf to direction from the control system to stop moving. The pneumatic control system may also comprise a limit valve to prevent the door installation from opening when a second door installation is open, thereby preventing both door installations in an air lock from being open at the same time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2005
    Inventors: William R. Kennedy, John M. Kennedy
  • Patent number: 6934996
    Abstract: A gas-filled cylinder, with two concentric cylindrical bodies or tubes that determine an intermediate gas passage chamber and are separated by a shaft cap and a valve cap that allow the passage of gas towards the interior, in which a piston moves and forms two internal chambers. The gas passes from one chamber to the other when the valve shaft is operated. This valve shaft is of considerable length and can be operated by small movements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2005
    Assignee: Gain Gas Technique S.L.
    Inventor: Javier Barandiaran Salaberria
  • Patent number: 6871381
    Abstract: A readily adjustable door closure for varying the rate of speed at which an associated door may close which is effected by rotating the piston rod relative to the piston and associated cylinder assembly so as to vary the rate of flow of an actuating fluid flowing from one side of the piston to the other side of the piston, which controls the door closing speed accordingly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2005
    Inventor: Valentin Luca
  • Publication number: 20040148733
    Abstract: A door holder has a piston reciprocable in a cylinder and a rod extending from the piston through one end of the cylinder. The outer end of the rod is pivoted to a door frame and the opposite end of the cylinder is pivoted to the door, or visa versa. A retainer is provided on the rod to prevent the piston and cylinder from contracting after the door has been opened. To release the retainer so that the piston and cylinder can contract, a coil spring is compressed between the retainer and the end of the cylinder. Upon a slight extension of the piston and cylinder beyond the door holding position, the spring pushes the retainer out of engagement with the cylinder so that the piston and cylinder can contract and the door can close.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2003
    Publication date: August 5, 2004
    Inventor: George Wartian
  • Patent number: 6748624
    Abstract: A hood support piston stopper that is positionable in connection with the hood support piston assembly of a vehicle in a manner to prevent the piston rod of the hood support piston assembly from sliding back into the cylinder allowing the hood to move from the raised to the closed position. To maintain the stopper in a handy location under the vehicle hood of a vehicle with a faulty hood support piston assembly it would be a further benefit to have a tether for securing the stopper in an out of the way but readily accessible location under the vehicle hood.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2004
    Inventor: H. Steve Aderholt
  • Publication number: 20040103498
    Abstract: A gas-filled cylinder, with two concentric cylindrical bodies (1, 2) that determine an intermediate duct (3) and are separated by a shaft cap and a valve cap that allow the passage of gas towards the interior, in which a piston (6) moves and forms two chambers (4, 5). The gas passes from one chamber to the other when the valve shaft (13) is operated. This valve shaft is of considerable length and can be operated by means of small movements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2003
    Publication date: June 3, 2004
    Inventor: Javier Barandiaran Salaberria
  • Publication number: 20030226235
    Abstract: An door hold and release mechanism is provided for use with a door-check or closer of the type including a pneumatic cylinder and a reciprocating piston rod. The door hold and release mechanism includes a housing mounted onto the pneumatic cylinder and a drop stop fitted over the piston rod close to one end of the cylinder. The piston rod passes through a hole in the drop stop which is of such size as to allow movement of the piston rod through the hole in a first position when the drop stop is perpendicular to the piston rod but which restricts movement of the piston rod by friction in a second position when the drop stop is tilted at an angle other than perpendicular to the piston rod. A cap button is mounted on top of the housing and is used to activate the door hold and release mechanism by depressing the button. An elongated shaft is disposed in the housing and is connected at one end to the cap button.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2003
    Publication date: December 11, 2003
    Inventor: Ernest F. Hodson
  • Patent number: 6658695
    Abstract: A door securing device for securing screen door in an open position once it has been opened. The door securing device includes a housing comprising a perimeter wall. The perimeter wall defines an interior space of the housing. The housing is designed for being slidably positioned on a door rod of the screen door opposite a door cylinder of the screen door. A cable assembly is positioned in the interior space of the housing. The cable assembly is designed for being coupled to the screen door opposite the housing. The cable assembly is designed for drawing the housing towards the door cylinder whereby the housing engages the door cylinder and the door rod to maintain the door cylinder in position on the door rod for inhibiting closing of the screen door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Inventor: Paul S. Genua
  • Patent number: 6640387
    Abstract: An assembly (50) adapted to a reciprocative door closer device (10) and contingent door (62), the device (10) comprising a rod (16) and a body (12) having a biasing means (11) normally operating to comprise decreasing actuation and causing the rod (16) and door (62) towards a closed position (62-A); the assembly (50) including as extensible bracket (50-A) joined to a fixated bracket (50-B) and a spring means (54) capable of providing a counter biasing means (55) normally operating as substantially inactive, unless, said assembly (50) detects an excessive inward force (11-B) as exceeding said device (10), wherein said assembly (50) responsively opts to regulate the a increasing outward actuation (55-B) towards the closed position (62-A) and a decreasing inward actuation (55-A) towards the opened position (62-B).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2003
    Inventor: Ricardo Alonso
  • Patent number: 6634059
    Abstract: A reinforcement plate for use in attaching a doorjamb bracket to a doorjamb, the plate member having an aperture through which the arm of a conventional doorjamb bracket may be inserted. A plurality of holes in the plate member are available for receiving fasteners to secure the reinforcement plate to the doorjamb. The base of the conventional doorjamb bracket is received within an chambered area in the plate member so that the reinforcement plate lies substantially flush with the surface of the doorjamb. At least one opening in the reinforcement plate is positioned and shaped to allow a fastener to extend simultaneously through both the reinforcement plate and a hole associated with the doorjamb bracket so as to simultaneously attach both the reinforcement plate and the doorjamb bracket to the doorjamb.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2003
    Assignee: Innovative Product Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: Scott D. Seiferd
  • Patent number: 6634058
    Abstract: A door closer comprises a cylinder and a piston rod mounted in the cylinder and having an exposed section outside the cylinder. A retainer plate, an elastic element, and an end cap are mounted around the exposed section of the piston rod. The retainer plate has a hole through which the exposed section of the piston rod extends. The retainer plate further has a push member extending beyond the end cap through a slot in the end cap. The elastic element is attached between the sleeve and the retainer plate. The push member is pushable toward the sleeve to cause an inner periphery defining the hole of the retainer plate engage with the piston rod such that a side of the retainer plate presses against the pressing rod to stop movement of the piston rod during closing of a door to which the door closer is attached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2003
    Inventor: Percy Lin
  • Patent number: 6634057
    Abstract: A control assembly for holding a pivoted door in an open position and releasable to enable the door to swing to a closed position. A rotor is connected to the door in a manner such that when the door is opened the rotor is rotated in one direction to a locking position and when the door is closed the rotor is rotated in the opposite direction. A locking detent is engagable with the rotor to prevent the rotor from rotating in the opposite direction and thereby to hold the door open. The detent is retracted when the rotor is rotated past the locking position to a release position. The detent is held retracted until the rotor is rotated past the locking position enabling the door to close.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2003
    Inventor: George Wartian
  • Patent number: 6615449
    Abstract: A releasable locking assembly for a door control cylinder is disclosed. The assembly fits over the rod of the door control cylinder and includes a locking flange member maintained in a confined space within a pair of concentric closed end cup members. The locking flange member engages the rod to hold the door control cylinder in an extended position by gently pushing on the outer cup member and disengages the locking flange member by further opening the door, allowing the cylinder rod to retract in a controlled manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Inventor: Arthur Alvarez
  • Publication number: 20030126716
    Abstract: A door closer comprises a cylinder and a piston rod mounted in the cylinder and has an exposed section outside the cylinder. A retainer plate, an elastic element, a switch rod, and an end cap are mounted around the exposed section. The retainer plate has an arrestor. The elastic element has a first end attached to the cylinder and a second end attached to a side of the retainer plate. The switch rod includes a first side in contact with the other side of the retainer plate. The end cap is attached to a second side of the switch rod for enclosing the switch rod and the retainer plate. The end cap includes two longitudinal slots through which the retainer rod and the arrestor of the retainer plate extend outward such that the retainer rod and the arrestor of the retainer plate are rectilinearly movable along the longitudinal slots.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2002
    Publication date: July 10, 2003
    Inventor: Percy Lin
  • Publication number: 20030110589
    Abstract: A door closer, having a mobile rod that is axially installed on a main unit, on the mobile rod being a cantable washer and an elastic member, characterized in that: an elastic member is installed between the cantable washer and the main unit, the elastic member being installed on the mobile rod; thereby the door can be closed convenient by applying a minimum force to push the door further, then the mobile rod will be extended, and the elastic member will automatically push and unlatch the arrest of the cantable washer, so that the cantable washer is released from the mobile rod, and then the mobile rod can be retracted smoothly into the main unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2001
    Publication date: June 19, 2003
    Inventor: Kun Long Lin
  • Patent number: 6578832
    Abstract: An air damper comprises a cylinder having first and second openings at both ends, a piston that moves in the cylinder, a piston rod coupled to the piston and moving in and out at the first opening of the cylinder; and a cap positioned at the second opening of the cylinder. The piston rod has a continuous outer wall and an opening extending along the longitudinal axis of the rod. The cross-sectional view of the piston rod taken along a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis is an inverse U-shape, an inverse V-shape, a C-shape, or the like. The piston rod has a fixing ring at the leading end. A plane containing the opening is perpendicular to a plane defined by the fixing ring. The piston rod is fixed to a glove box so that the opening faces down.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2003
    Assignee: Piolax, Inc.
    Inventor: Kouichi Katoh
  • Publication number: 20030093872
    Abstract: A door closer comprising a housing, a member for driving engagement with a door, the member being rotatable relative to the housing in a door opening direction and in a door closing direction, a spring apparatus within the housing providing a resilient bias, the resilient bias being increased by rotation of the member in the door opening direction and a check device for controlling rotation of the member in the door closing direction and hence closure of the door under the action of the spring apparatus, the door closer having a back check comprising a piston member movable in a cylinder from an initial position against resistance of a fluid medium by rotation of the rotatable member in the opening direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2002
    Publication date: May 22, 2003
    Applicant: Jebron Limited
    Inventor: Peter Edward Brown
  • Publication number: 20030084539
    Abstract: A control assembly for holding a pivoted door in an open position and releasable to enable the door to swing to a closed position. A rotor is connected to the door in a manner such that when the door is opened the rotor is rotated in one direction to a locking position and when the door is closed the rotor is rotated in the opposite direction. A locking detent is engagable with the rotor to prevent the rotor from rotating in the opposite direction and thereby to hold the door open. The detent is retracted when the rotor is rotated past the locking position to a release position. The detent is held retracted until the rotor is rotated past the locking position enabling the door to close.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2001
    Publication date: May 8, 2003
    Inventor: George Wartian
  • Patent number: 6497004
    Abstract: An apparatus for holding open a door or similar member for a predetermined time period includes a suction mechanism coupled to the door and the door frame. The suction mechanism includes an adjustable valve to provide a controlled flow of air to release the suction. The mechanism includes an arm having a suction cup at one end and a suction plate pivotally connected to the arm for engaging the suction cup when the door is in the open position. The suction mechanism is attached to the inner surface of the door and the necessary relative motions of parts achieved by an articulated connecting rod and suction cup pad assembly are pivotally attached to the adjacent door frame. The articulated assembly permits the face of the suction cup and its target to be parallel to the door in the open and closed positions. The arm is connected to a spring loaded mounting assembly so that the door's maximum opening limitation is dictated by the spring closing mechanism or other motion limiting device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2002
    Inventor: Richard Armstrong
  • Patent number: 6460839
    Abstract: An air damper for a movably supported structural part in automobiles comprises a hollow cylinder closed at one end thereof, a closure cap mounted on the other end of the cylinder, a piston slidably guided within the cylinder, an annular recess at the circumference of the piston, and an annular sealing ring in the recess. The block-like sealing ring is made of a thermoplastic elastomer coated with a layer which has the same static and sliding frictions with the inner wall of the cylinder and the bottom of the recess. A coil spring is placed between the closure cap and the piston. A piston rod of the piston has an elongated rib contacting the spring when the spring is in a relieved state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2002
    Assignee: ITW Automotive Products GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Hans-Günther Müller
  • Patent number: 6442796
    Abstract: An air damper consists of a tubular cylinder with opposite ends, a piston movable in the cylinder, a first coil spring for resiliently biasing the piston in the direction of one end of the cylinder, a string for transferring dampening effect produced by a motion of the piston to an openable object, a shaft with a flange slidably fitted into the piston and a second coil spring interposed between the flange of the shaft and the piston inside the first coil spring. The second coil spring exerts a resilient biasing force at later stages of the motion of the piston in the direction of the other end of the tubular cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2002
    Assignee: Piolax, Inc.
    Inventors: Oomi Arisaka, Seiji Takasugi, Masato Suzuki
  • Publication number: 20020066229
    Abstract: A device for stopping a door of any piece of equipment in the open position is provided with a door check mechanism tending to hold the door in any open position. The device comprises a hollow tube (9) whose diameter is greater than the external diameter of the body (7) of the check mechanism. This tube is positioned coaxially to the check mechanism and is hinged on the axis of the mobile rod (8) of the check mechanism. Its length corresponds to the length of the rod when the door (8) is in the desired open position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2001
    Publication date: June 6, 2002
    Applicant: THALES
    Inventor: Richard Rubio
  • Patent number: 6397431
    Abstract: An assembly (50) adapted to a reciprocative door closer device (10) and contingent door (62), the device (10) comprising a rod (16) and a body (12) having a biasing means (11) normally operating to comprise decreasing actuation and causing the rod (16) and door (62) towards a closed position (62-A); the assembly (50) including a hinge bracket (50-A) joined to a fixated bracket (50-A) and a spring means (54) capable of a ligamentous movement (55) normally operating as substantially inactive, unless, said assembly (50) detects an excessive inward force (11-B) exceeding said device (10), wherein said assembly (50) responsively opts to regulate increasing actuation towards the closed position (62-A) without cause to said rod (16), to dampen, protect, and compensate said excessive force (11-B) and return said device (10) and door (62) towards normal operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2002
    Inventor: Ricardo Alonso
  • Patent number: 6397430
    Abstract: A hydraulic backcheck valve system for controlling an opening cycle of a door closer has a housing with an interior chamber, at least one cylinder, and a piston that can reciprocate between a door closing stroke and a door opening stroke within the cylinder. One side of the piston faces a variable volume chamber in the cylinder and an opposite side of the piston faces the interior chamber of the housing. The backcheck valve system has a fluid passage with a port in fluid communication with the cylinder and an opening in fluid communication with the interior chamber of the housing. The port is blocked by the piston during at least part of the door opening stroke. A one-way valve is disposed in fluid communication with the fluid passage and permits fluid to flow freely during a closing cycle of the door closer and prevents fluid flow from the second passage during the opening cycle. A backcheck valve is disposed in fluid communication with the passage and with the variable volume chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2002
    Assignee: Jackson Corporation
    Inventors: Peter E. Brown, George F. Toledo