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.

Abstract: A resilient member, useful in a back checking arrangement, is provided as a body of resilient material having a surface engageable by an outside member such as a portion of a sliding mechanism in a door closer. The body is compressible when engaged by the outside member with a sufficient force. The body has at least one reservoir chamber therein, for receiving a liquid, such as hydraulic fluid, with a communication passage leading from the chamber to the surface to provide fluid communication between the chamber and an exterior of the body. Additional communication passages from the chamber to the exterior of the body may be provided as well. When the body is engaged by the member, the body, chamber and passage are compressed, thus causing the liquid in the chamber to exit the body through the compressing passage. This increasingly restricts the flow of liquid through the passage and increases the force of operation.

Abstract: A blocking device for preventing a door closer from achieving a degree of rotation corresponding to a door hold-open position. A blocking device is provided which can be selectively protruded into a door closer housing to block the translation of a cam plate under influence of a rotating cam operatively connected to one of either the door or the door frame such that the 90.degree. or 105.degree. typical door hold open position cannot be achieved. The blocking device can be a rotatable limit bar which can be positioned to an interference or no-interference position, or it can be screw pins which can be threadingly inserted into the housing to block either the cam or other moving portions of the door closer such that the closer cannot achieve the door hold open position.

Abstract: A door closer having a spindle and cam arrangement for driving a cam plate longitudinally within a housing filled with oil, and dual rods connected to the cam plate at one end and to two pistons respectively at an opposite end. The pistons are reciprocal within cylinders having speed valves in flow communication to opposite sides of the pistons. Dual springs are arranged, one around each rod and compressed between the pistons and a fixed compression plate within the housing. A single adjusting screw extends from a front end of the housing to a threaded central aperture of the compression plate. Rotation of the adjusting screw sets the initial spring compression force of the return springs which influences the rate of closure of the door and the preload force of the door to the door frame.

Abstract: A latch assembly for use with a panic exit device, particularly a top latch having a U-shape which engages a stem portion of a T-shaped receiving lug mounted overhead to a top member of the door frame. The U-shaped top latch is pivotably mounted to the active stile of the door. The latch assembly causes the U-shaped latch to pivot upward to capture the stationary T-shaped receiving lug, or pivot downwardly to disengage from the T-shaped receiving lug. The latch member is in sliding and abutting engagement with a latch cam which pivots in one direction to retain the latch member in an upward orientation to capture the T-shaped receiving lug, and pivots in an opposite direction to allow the latch member to pivot downwardly upon opening pressure on the door and actuation of the panic exit device, to release the latch member from the receiving lug.

Abstract: A door latch opener having a reversible mounting plate, a handle reversibly mounted on the mounting plate, an actuator reversibly mounted on the mounting plate and a spring reversibly mounted between the mounting plate and the handle permitting reconfiguration of the door latch opener allowing its operation in a wide variety of orientations. The door latch opener can be used with the handle in an upward or downward position and by pulling or pushing on the handle. Two such door openers can be used on a door in a cooperating non-interfering arrangement in various combinations of configurations.

Abstract: An improved door closer is provided which has a back checking arrangement including a loosely held resilient cushion bar which is engaged by a metallic shield abutting sliding cam plates during a final few degrees of opening of a door to provide an increasing resistance against further opening of the door. The shield preferably engages the cushion bar approximately 4.degree. prior to a normal full open position of the door. Selective thickness of the cushion bar provides either a 90.degree. full open position of the door or a 150.degree. full open position of the door without additional adjustment.

Abstract: A mounting arrangement for mounting a panic exit device to a midrail of a door provides for a foolproof and quick attachment of the device to the door. The invention includes only two formed tabs insertable into matching recesses in the active stile of the door, and a clamping bar with two set screws holding a remote end of the device to the midrail of the door. The arrangement requires a minimum of machining, eliminating the need to match screw holes between the midrail of the door and the panic exit device, and reduces required precision in mounting such a device to a door midrail.

Abstract: A mounting pad for a lock cylinder provides a plurality of bosses which protrude interior of a door stile, the bosses having inclined threaded bores which hold set screws, the set screws are accessed laterally through an access opening on the side wall of the stile, the set screws are progressed outwardly of the bosses to press against an inside wall of the stile, thus clamping the mounting pad to the door stile. The mounting pad holds a lock cylinder inside an annular lock collar by use of a lock ring. The lock cylinder communicates to mechanical means residing interior of the door stile to effectuate latching of the door with a key. The access opening for insertion of a tool such as an Allan wrench to progress the set screws is located on an interior side wall of the door stile such that when the door is completely assembled, the access opening is covered either by an interior door panel, or other door structures such as a panic exit device or panic bar.

Abstract: A housing with separate chambers into which individual quantities of animal food can be located has a cover located over the top of the chambers leaving an entrance opening via which foodstuffs can be loaded therein. A generally vertical housing front wall includes exit openings in communication with each of the internal chambers. Door panels, one for each exit opening are pivotally connected to the housing to swing from a first position closing off a chamber exit opening, to a lower position under the action of gravity leaving the exit opening unimpeded by the door panel. Latches having parts which are biased by gravity to lockingly secure a door panel are movable in a direction to release the door panels by a continuous moving closed-loop actuator.