Spring And Flexible Link Patents (Class 16/78)
  • Patent number: 11905745
    Abstract: Disclosed is a door hinge limiting assembly for a motor vehicle comprising a pillar bracket, a door bracket, and a flexible check strap. The pillar bracket is configured to fit on the aft-side and interior-side of the door pillar and to complement the pillar's nonplanar profile. Rather than being secured to the door pillar, the pillar bracket is secured to the forward wall in the footwell region, with the aforesaid configuration producing an interference fit with the door pillar. The strap may be comprised of nylon webbing or similar material, and in some embodiments may comprise an elastic strap to promote convenient folding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Inventor: Michael A Papoulias
  • Patent number: 11725435
    Abstract: Disclosed is a door hinge limiting assembly for a motor vehicle comprising a pillar bracket, a door bracket, and a flexible check strap. The pillar bracket is configured to fit on the aft-side and interior-side of the door pillar and to complement the pillar's nonplanar profile. Rather than being secured to the door pillar, the pillar bracket is secured to the forward wall in the footwell region, with the aforesaid configuration producing an interference fit with the door pillar. The strap may be comprised of nylon webbing or similar material, and in some embodiments may comprise an elastic strap to promote convenient folding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Inventor: Michael A Papoulias
  • Patent number: 11719035
    Abstract: A non-contact, automatic door hinge operator system that allows a common door to be opened and closed automatically through use of a voice-activated sensor, optical switch or mobile app.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Inventor: Joseph M. Schulz
  • Patent number: 11629535
    Abstract: A surface-mounted device for controlling the swing/rotational motion of a hinged door/panel system. Said device controls the velocity of the door/panel's and provides check point(s) in the pathway of its motion. The device includes a non-pivoting carrier component to be fixed upon a hinged door/panel, a non-pivoting receiver component fastened to the adjacent and separate area which shares a common hinge(s)/axis with the movable door/panel and a flexible control arm component firmly attached at one end to the carrier. The flexible control arm is aligned with the receiver's through-body aperture by means of the carrier's fixed position on a movable hinged door/panel and provides control of the door/panel by means of passing into and through the aperture provisioned in the receiver in a linear manner to provide both speed and positional check control (motion detents) of the door's potential swing arc path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Inventor: William Steven Kroll
  • Patent number: 11246231
    Abstract: A hot/cold aisle air containment room includes a plurality of electronic equipment enclosures at least partially defining an interior aisle, a frame structure supporting one or more ceiling panels above the interior aisle, and a door assembly. The door assembly includes a sliding door and an unpowered door closer mechanism adapted to move the sliding door from an open state to a closed state, thereby providing controlled access to the interior aisle and minimizing intermixing of hot air and cold air between an environment external to the hot/cold aisle air containment room and an environment internal to the hot/cold aisle air containment room.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2022
    Assignee: Chatsworth Products, Inc.
    Inventors: William Krietzman, Richard Evans Lewis, II
  • Patent number: 10947761
    Abstract: A security door hinge assembly is provided, comprising a door frame structure, having at least a head member, a first jamb member and a second jamb member, and at least one door leaf. The door leaf further comprises a leaf frame structure, having at least a top rail member, a bottom rail member, a hinge stile member and a lock stile member; an inner leaf panel, mounted to a first side of said leaf frame structure and extending past said hinge stile member, so as to form an inner leaf flange; an outer leaf panel, mounted to a second side of said leaf frame structure, opposite said first side, and extending past said hinge stile member, so as to form an outer leaf flange, and wherein, in use, said door leaf is operable between a first closed position and a second open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: HODGSON SAYERS LIMITED
    Inventor: Robert Edmund Todd
  • Patent number: 10577846
    Abstract: A door closer includes a helical extension spring disposed within a housing. A first end of the spring is attached to a spring anchor attached to a first end of the housing. A second end of the spring is attached to a first end of a strap. The strap passes through a strap guide attached to a second end of the housing. A second end of the strap is configured for attachment to a door jamb. The spring anchor and strap guide are configured for attachment to a door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: LIPPERT COMPONENTS, INC.
    Inventor: Scott C. McKinnon
  • Patent number: 10041294
    Abstract: A retractable and extendable covering device (1) for architectural openings, which includes first and second substantially parallel posts (3, 5), a retractable and extendable substantially rectangular screen member (7), and a first flexible guide member (9; 109). The first flexible guide member (9; 109) is deflected into one of the first and second posts (3, 5) and slidably receivable therein. Each of the parallel posts (3, 5) has a hollow interior (19, 23), and at least one of the first and second posts being movable toward and away with respect to the other. The retractable and extendable screen member (7) has first and second pairs of opposite parallel edges and is mounted between the first and second parallel posts (3, 5) at its first pair of parallel edges. The first flexible guide member (9; 109) extends along one edge of the second pair of parallel edges of the screen member (7) and between the first and second posts (3, 5) for retaining the one edge of the screen member (7).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignee: Unilux IP B.V.
    Inventor: Patrick Franciscus Johannes Van Loosbroek
  • Patent number: 9771748
    Abstract: A device that has adjustable torque, and is used for the mechanical automation of closing a sliding screen door panel in a manner that is consistent with the force of a natural beings manual operation of the sliding screen door panel. The device is engineered to be consistent with the design of the said sliding screen panel, to prevent failure of the sliding screen panel after longterm continuous use with the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Inventor: Ron Crowder, II
  • Patent number: 8863357
    Abstract: An adjustable door closer has a hollow pedestal with a first and a second chamber as well as an actuating groove. An actuating device is set into the actuating groove. A first piston assembly is set into the first chamber and a second piston assembly set into the second chamber. A partition wall is formed between the first and second chambers. Due to a laterally configured flow resistance unit, the holes to be set into the first and second chambers are reduced to three, including a connecting hole and first and second backflow bypass holes, all of which are connected only to the second chamber from the partition wall. As such, the flow path structure is simplified compared to the five holes required for typical structures. The adjustable door closer could reduce significantly the manufacturing cost and realize better regulating functions with improved applicability and economic benefits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Heng Kuo Co., Ltd
    Inventor: Hui-Chen Chang
  • Patent number: 8656554
    Abstract: A gate closer used to automatically close an existing fence gate upon opening in either direction includes a bracket attaches to and extending upwardly from a hinge side of the gate and over any existing fence post that supports the fixed side of the hinge. The outer end of the bracket provides an attachment to a cable, which is in turn connected to a stationary pulley and tension spring mounted to a top frame portion of the fence. The opposite end of the spring is connected to an adjustment rod used to adjust tension force of the spring. The cable provides a constant force on the bracket, which forces the bracket and attached gate to the neutral or closed position. The apparatus works regardless of which direction the gate is opened as it come to rest in the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Inventor: Isaac S. Burleson
  • Patent number: 8595898
    Abstract: Disclosed is a self-closing sliding door assembly operable to allow manual opening and controlled automatic closing of a sliding door. The door assembly comprises storage spools for storing biasing members biased in a wound position around the storage spools. The door assembly further comprises a main spool for winding a cable and the biasing members. When the door is moved towards an open position, the cable is unwound from the main spool, causing the spool to rotate in a first direction. When the main spool is rotated in the first direction, the biasing members are wound onto the main spool and store energy operable to generate a force to cause the main spool to rotate in a second direction. When the door is released, the energy stored in the biasing members rotates the main spool in the second direction, thereby winding the door cable and providing a sufficient force to move the door towards the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Overhead Door Corporation
    Inventor: Gary R. Smith
  • Patent number: 8510912
    Abstract: A self-closing device is for sliding doors of the type including at least one sliding leaf (2) which is hung from an upper profile (3). The device (1) includes a drive belt (10) configured to be joined to the sliding leaf (2); a closing pulley (20), provided with an elastic device (30), which is arranged on a first rotation axis (4) integral to the upper profile (3) and which engages with a first end (11) of the drive belt (10); and a brake pulley (40), provided with a stop (50), which is arranged on a second rotation axis (5) integral to the upper profile (3) and which engages with a second end (12) of the drive belt (10) opposite to the first end (11). The rotation movement of both pulleys (20, 40) is connected by the drive belt (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Klein Iberica, S.A.
    Inventor: Miguel Angel Tarrega Lloret
  • Patent number: 8381927
    Abstract: A container is provided, which includes a container main body having a loading space formed therein to load freight therein; a door opening/closing a freight doorway formed on one side of the container main body and including a first door of which one side is hinge-engaged with the container main body by a first hinge portion, and a second door of which one side is hinge-engaged with the other side of the first door by a second hinge portion; a slide rotation portion including a slide rail provided on the container main body, a movement member connected to the second door to slidably move along the slide rail, a link member connected to the movement member and an inner side surface of the second door to make the door rotate at 0 to 270 degrees around the first hinge portion, and a movement limit member connected between the movement member and one side of the link member to limit the movement of the link member; and a locking portion locking/unlocking the door with respect to the container main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Inventor: Sang Woo Nam
  • Patent number: 8353079
    Abstract: Elevator hoistway door closer device that increases the closing force on the door as the door approaches the door closed position. A elevator hoistway door closer includes a reel having a groove in its side that terminates in a flat edge beyond a breakover angle. The groove may have a first portion of essentially constant diameter and a second portion having a conical helix shape. The third portion includes the breakover angle and may terminate in a flat edge. There may be an elongate tensile element received by the first and second portions and the third portion defined by the breakover angle flat edge, and that has a free end for attachment to a fixed point. There may be a spring for rotating the reel and attracting the elongate tensile element by wrapping the elongate tensile element around the first and second portions of the channel and over the breakover angle and flat edge of the third portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Inventors: Kelly L. Marshall, Chris Marshall
  • Patent number: 8303057
    Abstract: An opening and closing support mechanism includes: a main body; an opening and closing member; and a support member includes: a first joint support portion that curves to deform when the opening and closing member is closed, and extends straight when the opening and closing member is opened; and a projection portion that projects to an opposite side of a curving side of the first joint support portion at a side of either one end portion or the other end portion of first joint support portion when the opening and closing member is closed, and is elastically deformed in a direction of approaching the first joint support portion while pressed against a portion of the main body or opening and closing member when the opening and closing member is opened, and the support member being fitted between the main body and the opening and closing member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takashi Kuramata, Yousuke Hasegawa
  • Patent number: 8181311
    Abstract: The present invention provides an adjustable hinged door closer, including a seat with the first and second cylinders, and a first and a second elastic linkage unit. A double-threaded regulator is incorporated onto the first connecting rod of the first elastic linkage unit, so as to change the compression of the spring and regulate the closing/restoring force of the door body. The double-threaded column of the double-threaded regulator has a double-thread that shifts to two thread pitches by just making one rotation, thus facilitating the fine-tuning easily. The elastic linkage unit and the regulator are structurally configured to be assembled externally, and then mated with the connecting seat of the door closer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Heng Kuo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chi-Tsao Chiang, Jack Huang, Jason Chang
  • Publication number: 20110030167
    Abstract: The present invention provides an adjustable hinged door closer, including a seat with the first and second cylinders, and a first and a second elastic linkage unit. A double-threaded regulator is incorporated onto the first connecting rod of the first elastic linkage unit, so as to change the compression of the spring and regulate the closing/restoring force of the door body. The double-threaded column of the double-threaded regulator has a double-thread that shifts to two thread pitches by just making one rotation, thus facilitating the fine-tuning easily. The elastic linkage unit and the regulator are structurally configured to be assembled externally, and then mated with the connecting seat of the door closer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2009
    Publication date: February 10, 2011
    Applicant: HENG KUO Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chi-Tsao Chiang, Jack Huang, Jason Chang
  • Patent number: 7523586
    Abstract: A security door closure system for cruise ships and other similar public entrance points to prevent terrorist attack or ship take-over is needed. Cruise ship passenger and ship provisioning entrance gangplanks pass through large hydraulically operated shell doors. The gangplank must be removed to close the shell door. The quick close security door system (Door-Gate) is a portable bullet resistant rapid close door system that is placed in conjunction with the gangplank or other entry system, which when closed prevents forced entry. A single lever either remotely or manually operated immediately closes the doors, which then cannot be forced opened from the entrance side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2009
    Assignee: Doorgate Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Stanley Secretan, Earl T. Bayless
  • Patent number: 7472457
    Abstract: A guide and support device (1) for the door (7) of an item of furniture (13) is described, comprising a support (2)—which carries at least one body (3), a second body (4) slidable on the support (2) and a spring (5) placed between the first and the second body (3, 4)—and a cable (6), having one end fixed to the door (7) and the other end fixed to the support (2), which slides at least in a first pulley (8) carried by the second body (4). Preferably, the first body (3) also carries a second pulley (9), at least the first pulley (8) carried by the second body (4) is a multiple pulley and the cable (6) passes in the races of both pulleys (8, 9). The first body (3) advantageously comprises means (10, 11) able to adjust the position thereof at the time of installation of the device (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2009
    Assignee: Effegi Giovanetti
    Inventor: Antonio Giovannetti
  • Publication number: 20070283524
    Abstract: An automatic door closer for a sliding door. The closer mechanism includes a base mounted onto one of a sliding door and a door frame, a spring-biased block and tackle mechanism mounted within the base and a cable that is connected to the other of the sliding door and door frame. The closer includes a selectively activated locking mechanism that engages the cable and prevents its movement into or out of the base, thereby preventing the closer from automatically shutting the door.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2006
    Publication date: December 13, 2007
    Applicant: TOTE'L INDUSTRIES CORP.
    Inventor: Graham Gordon
  • Patent number: 6728992
    Abstract: A retractable door system for returning to a nearly closed position a door that has been opened having: a catch knob secured to a doorframe; a housing secured to a door; a retractable cord anchored within the housing at one end and having means for attaching to the catch knob at an opposite end; and a cord retracting means located within the housing for retracting the cord within the housing. The retractable door system may optionally further have a pad on the portion of the housing contacting a doorframe when the door is placed in a nearly closed position or a pad on the portion of the housing contacting a door or means for adjusting the tension of the retractable cord.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Inventor: John Rogers
  • Patent number: 6189181
    Abstract: A door retaining structure is provided for limiting the path of a door pivotably mounted on a door frame. The door retaining structure includes a connection structure for interconnecting the door and the door frame. An inertial locking device is operatively connected to the connection structure for preventing movement of the door toward the open position in response to the predetermined force on the door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Inventor: Kevin J. Bissett
  • Patent number: 6021607
    Abstract: A door closing device including closing means for urging a door between said first open position and second closed position having a cable mounted in a housing said cable wound about periphery of a reel regulating the speed of movement of said door between the open position and closed position; a reservoir for containing viscous fluid; and a buffer for retarding the speed of movement of said door comprising an impeller immersed in the viscous fluid for use as a brake; whereby the impeller reduces rotational speed of said reel, thus reducing closing speed of said door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2000
    Inventor: Garret Angove
  • Patent number: 5937478
    Abstract: A device for closing a sliding door includes a housing that attaches to the trailing edge of the sliding door. A tensioned cable extends from a spool in the housing to the door frame. When the sliding door is opened, the cable extends and undergoes an increase in tension. When the door is released, the cable is retracted and undergoes a decrease in tension as it forces the door closed. Cable tensioning is provided by a torsion spring that connects the cable spool to a concentric ratcheted axle. The device permits the user to readily increase or decrease the tension of the cable independently of the amount of cable extended by either ratcheting the axle with respect to the spool or by releasing the ratchet pawl.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1999
    Inventor: Paul Regnier
  • Patent number: 5863498
    Abstract: A decontamination device (10) including a housing (12) and a chamber (16) for receiving articles to be decontaminated by at least one of washing, disinfecting and sterilizing. A control pad (20) for an operator to input control instructions for controlling decontamination cycles to which the articles are subjected. The control pad being disposed adjacent an exterior of the housing and being accessible to the operator through an opening (24) in the housing (12). A door (30) covering the opening (24) and being hingedly attached to the decontamination device by a mechanism (26) disposed entirely within the housing when the door is in a closed position. The mechanism (26) can be a leaf spring (36) having a first end connected with a pivot pin (42) to the door (30) and a second end secured to an internal region (40) of the housing (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 26, 1999
    Assignee: Steris Corporation
    Inventor: John C. Houston
  • Patent number: 5722114
    Abstract: Invention is directed to a compression spring mechanism, particularly in combination with a fencing system which incorporates a swinging gate. The mechanism, intended to automatically close a released and opened gate, comprises a cylindrical tube, mounted within the gate, a plurality of compression springs aligned end-to-end within the tube, and a spring housing secured to one end of the tube for receiving one of the compression springs. A cable, of predetermined length, passes through the housing and aligned springs and is secured to the spring end most remote from the spring housing. The other end of the cable is secured to a stationary member, such as a post about which the gate pivots. As the gate is opened, the springs are further compressed storing sufficient energy to allow closure of the gate when released.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1998
    Assignee: Quality Fencing & Supply Co.
    Inventors: John K. Lapp, Jr., Christian A. Stoltzfus, Joseph P. Wachter
  • Patent number: 5630249
    Abstract: A device for closing a sliding screen door is disclosed. The inventive device includes a housing mountable proximal to a sliding screen door. A retractable cable resiliently extends from the housing and couples with the sliding screen door to effect closing of the door subsequent to opening thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 20, 1997
    Inventor: Delbert D. Rebai, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5235723
    Abstract: The invention provides a biasing device for biasing a movable first structure to a position relative to a second structure, said biasing device includes aconnection mechanism for interconnecting said first and second structures, said connection mechanism including at least one motion reducing mechanism; andextensible and/or compressible biasing means for providing a biasing force;the biasing means is connected between said first or second structure and said motion reducing mechanism so that the length of extension or compression of said biasing means is less than the movement of said first structure relative to said second structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1993
    Assignee: Erica Gem Pty. Ltd.
    Inventor: Shirley D. Wallis
  • Patent number: 5018687
    Abstract: A mechanically operable actuating device for opening towards the outside and closing a cargo hatch or freight door in the fuselage of an aircraft comprises two hinges for connecting an upper side of the door or hatch to the fuselage; a first swivel joint floatingly mounts the upper end of a coupling member to a reenforcing part in the upper portion of the hatch or door; a second swivel joint floatingly connects a rocking arm to a hatch or door frame of the fuselage; a third swivel joint connects the rocking arm to the lower end of the coupling member; a fourth swivel joint connects one end of a gas pressure spring to the rocking arm so that the spring extends substantially parallel to the coupling member; and a fifth swivel joint connects an opposite end of the spring also to the upper end of the coupling member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 28, 1991
    Assignee: MBB GmbH
    Inventors: Artur Kupfernagel, Dieter Nitsch
  • Patent number: 4991256
    Abstract: In a door closer comprising spring means (17) within a housing (10) adapted for mounting with the thickness of the door (12) and an anchor member (30) adapted for mounting on a door frame (32), a tension member (20) whereby the spring means draws the anchor member towards the housing to effect door closure includes at least an outer end portion in the form of a cable (21) at its free end a domed abutment member (22) which is engaged behind the anchor member (30) and at a position spaced from the abutment member a collar (25) of non-round external shape whereby firstly a spacer member (40) can be interposed between the collar (25) and the housing (10) to facilitate the mounting of the closer, and secondly by engagement of the collar (25) by means of a spanner (50) the capable can be rotated to adjust the spring force of the closer through axial movement of a member (18) which is acted on by the spring ( 15) relative to a threaded member (19) at the inner end of the tension member (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 12, 1991
    Assignee: Samuel Heath & Sons
    Inventors: Roger H. Jeynes, John W. Sewell
  • Patent number: 4821786
    Abstract: A closure structure for covering a door opening includes a recoilable spool of closure material, such as plastic or screen cloth, which closure material moves horizontally across a doorway and is stabilized by a top track hanger and a vertically extending locking and stabilizing member secured to the free end of the closure material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 1987
    Date of Patent: April 18, 1989
    Inventor: Bernard A. Johnston
  • Patent number: 4706330
    Abstract: This invention concerns a traction device such as a door closure made from memory alloy. In the preferred form the traction device comprises an elongated length of memory alloy, heating means operable to heat the element to restore it to its original shape, relatively movable parts attached to respective ends of the element, one of which is connected to a load which is to be displaced in the direction of traction when the element is heated, and a spring which yields resiliently to allow the load to move in the direction opposite to that in which traction is exerted if the element is hot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1986
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1987
    Inventor: Ronald Sampson
  • Patent number: 4675938
    Abstract: A retraction device for automatically closing a panel, such as a door or window, after the panel has been opened. The retraction device includes a drum, a coiled spring power assembly for driving the drum, a centrifugal brake for controlling the power assembly and the drum to eliminate slamming of the panel during closing, and a gear train transmission assembly to connect the power assembly and the centrifugal brake. In one embodiment, the drum is a spool which carries a cable to connect the panel to the retraction device. In another embodiment, the drum has a rim which frictionally engages a frame supporting the panel. The centrifugal brake is adjustable to take into account a wide range of panel sizes and frictional conditions. This adjustment can be made through an aperture in the device's housing for quick and easy on-site installation. A one-way clutch mechanism is coupled between the power assembly and the brake to actuate the brake only when the panel is being retracted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1985
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1987
    Inventor: Robert L. Bundschuh
  • Patent number: 4330960
    Abstract: Closing arrangement for sliding doors adapted to move between closed and open positions along a lengthwise guide track. The arrangement includes a rotor operatively connected with connecting links connected to the door and arranged to move along the guide track. Brake arrangement is mounted with a drive member mounted in coaxial alignment with the rotor shaft. The closing arrangement is provided with a coupling device which is operatively connected to the rotor shaft and comprises an electromagnetic coupling and a friction coupling mounted on a common shaft. The coupling device prevents an inadvertant backward movement of the open sliding door to its closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1979
    Date of Patent: May 25, 1982
    Assignee: Dorma-Baubeschlag GmbH & Co. KG.
    Inventors: Werner Hasemann, Herbert Cleff
  • Patent number: 4301623
    Abstract: A semiautomatic sliding door device comprising a sliding door, an outer framework slidably supporting the door for movement between the positions of `open` and `closed` and a driving device comprising a tension spring energizing the sliding door toward the `closed` position, a connecting wire, and a guide wheel for guiding the wire. This device is equipped with a braking device comprising permanent magnets on the outer framework and a braking plate made of copper or aluminum sheets on the sliding door. Coiling said wire around the block in proper manner, the length of elongation of the tension spring can be reduced relative to the stroke of the sliding door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 1979
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1981
    Assignee: Nippon Door Check Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Enzo Demukai
  • Patent number: 4297812
    Abstract: A storm door assembly which includes a U-shaped Z-bar, a reinforcing element insertable between one leg of the Z-bar and the door jamb, and a door hingedly connected to the Z-bar. The door includes a top rail, bottom rail, side rails and a center mullion. A return spring assembly is enclosed and hidden within one or more of the top or bottom rails or the center mullion, each of which is hollow. A sliding latching assembly is provided on one of the side rails of the door, and is slidingly movable to a position of cooperation with a portion of the return spring assembly to prevent the door from moving from an open position toward a closed position until the latching assembly has been intentionally released.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 1979
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1981
    Inventor: Shelvey C. McPhail
  • Patent number: 4069545
    Abstract: A device for controlling the opening and closing movement of a duct seal door of an automatic ice maker which requires a regulator for slowing down the closing of the door. The movement of the door about its rotational axis is transmitted via connecting linkages to the closure regulator which comprises a rotor positioned within a stator housing. The rotor's movement is coupled to the connecting linkages via a one-way clutch which decouples the rotor when the door is being opened, and causes positive coupling therebetween when the door is being closed. Disposed within the stator housing in a fixed-volume compartment is a viscous fluid, such as silicone gum. The rotor and stator include opposed rippled surfaces between which the viscous fluid is coactively disposed. The fluid acts as an impedance to the motion of the rotor, which motion occurs only upon the closing of the door, to thereby provide a controlled slow closure thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1976
    Date of Patent: January 24, 1978
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Kenneth M. Holet, Luis E. Prada
  • Patent number: 3978617
    Abstract: A self-closing refrigerator door of the sliding type having an upper channel into which is received a track depending from the upper portion of the door frame, a series of rollers supporting the door on a track projecting from the lower portion of the door frame, adjustable energy producing closing means having means releaseably engageable with the lower portion of the door frame beneath the door so that upon opening a closing force is exerted upon the door by the biasing action of the energy producing closing means sufficient to cause it to close on the door frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 1975
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1976
    Inventor: Arnold T. Eventoff